CEBU CITY – Confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been detected in a mountain barangay here.
Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the city’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), reported that seven pigs died in Barangay Bonbon and tested positive for ASF.
The confirmation was based on the result of the test that the Department of Agriculture Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Central Visayas conducted on the blood samples of the hogs.
With the confirmed ASF cases, a strict border control will be enforced in the barangay.
Utlang urged farmers not to allow entry to their farms while stepping up their biosecurity measures.
She said thorough and regular disinfection must be conducted in the affected farms.
Utlang added that the DVMF and the Cebu City Agriculture Department have started distributing disinfectants in affected areas.
“Protect your own barangay and pig farm,” Utlang said.
Culling has yet to be enforced but DVMF will conduct random testing to prevent the spread of the highly contagious ASF.
On Friday, July 19, DVMF personnel confiscated more than 84 kilos of pig carcass without a meat inspection certificate.
Utlang said the meat came from Alcantara town, Cebu.
The confiscation is part of DVMF’s efforts to ensure that meat products entering the city are safe, Utlang said.