KIDAPAWAN CITY – North Cotabato has remain free from the African Swine Fever (ASF) because of the strong campaign and public information drive by the provincial and municipal governments as part of a united effort to prevent the spread of the virus on pigs.
AFS is a large, double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family. The virus is transmitted to pigs through direct contact with infected pigs, their waste, contaminated clothing, feed, equipment and vehicles, and in some cases, some tick species.
Although ASF cannot be transmitted to humans through contact with pigs or pork, the virus causes a haemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs; some isolates can cause death of animals as quickly as a week after infection.
North Cotabato’s implementation of the veterinary quarantine ordinance resulted in ASF-free province, according to Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rufino Suropia.
He said pork in North Cotabato are safe to eat, although Suropia reminded the public that any meat should be cooked thoroughly to ensure that no bacteria goes in the human system.
Even Acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza led the feast on a savoury lechon which is sought after in the province to show that pork in North Cotabato is safe to eat.
The Provincial Government also distributed 195 piglets to beneficiaries in North Cotabato which has been declared ASF-free.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regional Supervisor Nicanora Deomampo Rabara also advised the public to stay away from canned goods made from pork which came from countries where there are widespread ASF cases.
The FDA in May ordered the pull-out from the markets of all processed pork products such as luncheon meat imported from countries affected by the ASF – China, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa, Zambia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Despite being ASF-free, North Cotabato has tightened its watch on the entry of hog and pork products in the province as a measure against the fatal animal disease.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed the first ASF outbreak started on July 25 in mostly backyard pigs in the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan and other areas in Quezon City in Luzon. (Mark Anthony Tayco and Rhoderick Beñez)
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