CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – To contain and prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF), the municipal government of Candelaria in Zambales has ordered stricter biosecurity measures.
ASF was confirmed in three villages in the town following a confirmed report of infected hogs.
Byron Jones Edquiling directed all barangays in Candelaria to establish ASF prevention and biosecurity measures in consultation with the Municipal Agriculture Office on Tuesday.
Following reports of ASF-infected pigs in Libertador, Panayonan, and Taposo villages, Edquiling called for stricter measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
A validated laboratory test revealed traces of the ASF virus in blood samples taken from the hogs, the mayor said in a radio interview on Wednesday.
The exact number of ASF-infected pigs in their town, however, was not provided by him.
According to the mayor, he has already met with barangay officials and agreed to strictly control and monitor entry points for swine, including farms, markets, slaughterhouses, and transport vehicles.
It is necessary to have a strict checkpoint at our borders, he said.
The barangay must immediately notify the municipal veterinary office and follow the guidelines for sampling, testing, and reporting if there is a suspected case.
He said, “Barangay officials need to determine which residents are raising pigs” (Barangay officials must determine which residents are raising pigs).
In addition, the Municipal Agriculture Office will not allow pigs to be sold without a health certificate.
Likewise, he warned the public not to feed their pigs’ swill, which could carry the virus. (PNA)
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