Guimaras logs first ASF case

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported the first case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Guimaras province on Friday, an official has said.

Jose Albert Barrogo, DA-Western Visayas Regional Technical Director for Operations, said the specimens were received by the agency on December 15 from Barangay Sawang in the municipality of  Buenavista. They were tested for the virus on December 16.

Following the results, the DA Regional ASF Task Force immediately convened and discussed possible measures and interventions to prevent the spread of the ASF.

The provincial government issued Executive Order No. 188 Series of 2022, mandating the temporary ban on the entry and exit of swine, pork, pork products, and by-products to and from the municipality of Buenavista.

“The DA-WV is in close coordination with the local government unit concerned in the implementation of the ASF protocols within the 500-meter radius and one-kilometer radius and will be providing necessary technical and logistical supports for the containment of the infected area the soonest possible time,” Barrogo said.

Intensified surveillance and monitoring activities will also be conducted by the task force in the neighboring barangays and other backyard farms in the municipality, he added.

“We appeal to the public not to panic and follow the ASF protocols being implemented in all ports of entry, and animal checkpoints and also intensify their respective biosecurity measures,” the DA official said.

“ASF is not contagious to human. Let us buy pork that has undergone NMIS meat inspection and from reliable and NMIS-accredited meat supply stores,” he said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News