ASF incidence rate on a downward trend —DA

While the number of cases is declining, the Philippines could not be declared "fully free" from the scourge of the African Swine Fever (ASF), Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Friday.

"Talagang bumababa 'yung incidence (rate) but nandyan pa, that's why we cannot declare na free na tayo [sa ASF]," said Dar in a press conference in Quezon City.

ASF infections are still reported in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga in Central Luzon, he said, adding that strict inspection efforts and other measures are in still place across the country.

"Continuously the 1-7-10 protocol is observed and even sa mga airport pinaigting ang quarantine, 'yung inspection ng mga bagahe, kahit sa mga seaport ay marami pa ring  nakukumpiska na mga smuggled items, iba ang declarations doon sa nandoon sa loob," Dar said.

Under the 1-7-10 protocol, quarantine checkpoints are set up in areas within the 1-kilometer radius of suspected farms; and within the 7-kilometer radius, authorities are conducting surveillance and limiting animal movement.

Meanwhile, farm owners within the 10-kilometer radius of the suspected farms are mandated to report any swine disease to the DA.

Department of Agriculture data show that the number of ASF-positive samples peaked at 180 cases in the earlier part of October.

Information gathered as of December 27 showed that ASF incidence rate has gone down, with below 20 cases reported.

According to Dar, the DA recently issued a notice of closure to a firm's chilling facility after it delivered an ASF-infected meat to a supermarket in Quezon City.

"The meat that has been found in SM Cherry was positive, so with that, we sent a notice of closure to North Star then the NMIS continued its evaluation," he said.

"They continued taking samples sa lahat [ng meat sa supermarket], progressively and continuously, wala naman [ibang affected]," he added.

Dar also reminded the supermarket operators to be vigilant in observing food safety measures.

"Sa lahat po ng supermarkets, huwag nating bigyan ng space ang mga karneng apektado na, huwag na natin itinda kasi we're just spreading the virus," he said. —LBG, GMA News