TACLOBAN CITY – More local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas have banned the entry of pork and pork products following the confirmation of African Swine Flu (ASF) in at least three municipalities in Leyte.
Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan banned the entry of live hogs from any part of Mindanao, Luzon, and Leyte starting Jan. 18.
The governor mandated the total ban on the entry of live hogs, processed or cooked meat, and meat products coming from Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte, and Southern Leyte for 60 days or until March 19 through an executive order.
The move was made to protect the province from the ASF which has now made its way to Region 8 as its first case was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture in Abuyog, Leyte.
As for live hogs coming from Luzon and Mindanao, the threat of ASF continues, hence the ban, he said. “There is a need to strengthen our regulations to prevent the entry of ASF in the province and keep Northern Samar ASF-free,” Ongchuan stressed.
The African swine flu is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs affecting all ages of such animals with mortality as high as 100 percent, where animals cannot be treated and the disease cannot be prevented through vaccination.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone has also imposed a ban on the entry of live hogs, processed or cooked meat, and meat products coming from Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte, and Southern Leyte for 60 days.
Naval, Biliran Mayor Gerard Espina has instructed the municipal agriculturist to test local swine to check if there are any contaminations.
Mayorga, Leyte Mayor Alexander de Paz announced a 14-day pork holiday from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4.
"Selling of fresh pork, chilled/frozen pork, uncooked/semi-cooked meat products shall be prohibited for 14 days," the Mayorga mayor said. He also ordered the closure of the municipal slaughterhouse for disinfection.