By Erma Edera
Meat products in the city of Manila are safe to eat amid reports of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in nearby cities and provinces, the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) disclosed Tuesday.
A butcher slices his pig products sold at Paco market on Wednesday. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the recall and seizure of all processed pork meat products from countries suspected to be affected by the Swine Flu. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Dr. Nick Santos, Manila VIB chief said they remain on "high alert" to prevent the spread of ASF among animals in public markets, cold storages, ports and even backyard hog raisers by conducting continuous inspections.
"African Swine Fever has a swine mortality rate of 90 percent to 100 percent. ASF is deadly for pigs but there is no human transfer. The VIB would like to inform the public that it is safe to eat pork," Santos said in a report to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
“ASF cannot be transferred to humans. It can only affect pigs. The VIB is conducting strict inspection and monitoring of all meat supplies in the city," he added.
The VIB reported to the Mayor about the intensified meat inspections in the nation’s capital, including public markets and backyard hog-raisers in the city’s six districts.
Santos said the VIB has been conducting continuous inspections from September 1 to 18 and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks.
He also advised the consumers to remain vigilant when buying meat in markets as he also encouraged them to ask for the appropriate meat inspection certificates.
The VIB has also set up a hotline for consumers, via landline 708-9947 and via mobile 09163675250 or 09474281830.