By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga Regional Veterinary Quarantine Office (CRVQO), which is under the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), is on heightened alert to prevent the entry of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus. (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN) If a pig contacts the ASF virus, it will eventually die in two to 10 days, and will also affect the whole herd in just a span of few days. Signs of illness include high fever, weakness, and decreased appetite. The skin may be reddened, or have blackened lesions, especially on the tail, ears and lower legs. However, the CRVQO clarified that the public should not panic since ASF will not affect humans and other animals. In a statement released by the DA-BAI Friday, the CRVQO said “ASF is a virus-specific on swine and won’t affect on cows, or other animals and even human”. CRVQO Officer Dr. Dale Franco Llentic said that precautionary measures have been implemented in seaports and airports. “We are strictly implementing footbath on points of entry here in Caraga region as well as the hanging of streamers to raise awareness of the public on the said disease,” said the region’s CRVQO officer. The agency is closely working with the Bureau of Customs to allow CRVQO personnel on x-ray area for baggage to prevent the entry of meat and meat by-products from affected countries. Countries currently affected with ASF were Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and China, it said. DA through the DA-BAI is heightening its monitoring and surveillance in all points of entry of the region in an effort to protect the swine farmers of Caraga region. DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol recently issued a memorandum, declaring the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild pigs and their products including pork meat and semen originating from Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and China.