ILOILO CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 is urging local government units (LGUs) across Western Visayas region to strengthen measures against African Swine Fever (ASF).
DA-6 issued the advisory as it has been receiving reports of the re-entry of processed pork products across the region.
“We hereby enjoin our partner LGUs in Western Visayas to be vigilant in implementing and strengthening further precautionary measures for the possible entry and re-entry of ASF through processed meats,” said DA-6 Regional Director Jose Albert Barrogo.
Measures to contain the spread of the ASF virus have been in place such as the banning of all live hogs and pork-based products from areas with cases of ASF.
This includes intra-regional pork-based products in ASF-hit areas of the region, including the provinces of Aklan, Guimaras, and Iloilo, and the regional capital of Iloilo City.
"ASF virus can still thrive through processed and frozen meat for a very long time and can cause infection when taken in by any animals in the swine species,” explained Barrogo.