TACLOBAN CITY – While there is no confirmation of African Swine Flu (ASF) cases yet, the
the provincial Government of Northern Samar through its Provincial Agriculture and Veterinary Office is now taking significant steps to prevent additional swine mortality.
Doctor Jose Luis Acompañado, the Provincial Veterinarian and OIC of the Provincial Agriculture Office, bared that the threat of ASF remains and that the province has to protect its swine industry. “While there is already a reported vaccine against ASF, we can’t be complacent until it becomes available for use, and must implement measures to prevent it from adversely affecting our swine growers,” he said.
Following this advice, the group recommended limiting the movement of live swine or pork meat in Northern Samar, through the setting up of checkpoints in the municipalities. The check point which will be manned by LGU personnel, in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, will require the presentation of a veterinary health certificate issued by the Municipal Agriculturist from the point of origin, transport or shipping permit, and the registration of the vehicle or swine carrier. Without which, the swine or pork subject of the checkpoint will be asked to be returned to its origin or source, but if it is exhibiting sickness, it will be confiscated and dealt with according to established rules.
Municipal veterinarians likewise proposed to localize the declaration of ASF cases; thus, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) representative Doctor Rico Espiña said he would raise the recommendation to the Department of Agriculture (DA), as the latter is the authorized agency to declare ASF cases, after confirmatory tests of suspected cases.
Finally, based on the report of the Municipal Agriculture Offices, some areas in the province experienced swine deaths after the flooding in November and December last year.(By Marie Tonette Marticio / EV Mail Jan. 27 – Feb. 02, 2025 issue)
