MEASURES VS. ASF. Dr. Carl Louie Seravillo, in-charge of the Davao Oriental Provincial Veterinary Office Animal Health Section, inspect the pigs which will be sent to a slaughterhouse in Davao Oriental on Sunday (Sept. 29, 2019). After passing inspection, Seravillo will issue a veterinary health certificate. (Contributed photo)
DAVAO CITY -- Artificial insemination (AI) and the regulation of the so-called "traveling boars" are some of the effective control measures in preventing the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), an official said Sunday.
Dr. Carl Louie Seravillo, officer-in-charge of the Davao Oriental Provincial Veterinary Office Animal Health Section, told Philippine News Agency (PNA) that AI is safe since it can lessen exposure to parasitic as well as contagious diseases on hogs.
Seravillo added that traveling boars can possibly harbor diseases from infected pigs due to its mating nature.
"It has a higher risk of getting various diseases because it is paired with different kinds of pigs which are not all tested," he said.
"Virus can be transmitted to the clothes they wear and can be passed on to the pigs they are servicing," he said, adding the persons bringing the traveling boars do not commonly observe biosecurity measures.
To prevent disease transmission via the semen, Seravillo said the boars in AI centers must be free from the disease, enforce strict biosecurity protocols, and perform routine health monitoring of boars.
"Technicians who will do the process of AI should also be equipped with proper training in handling the pigs," he stressed.
He said the measure may only be taken temporarily until such time that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) declares the country is ASF-free.
Seravillo also said that aside from banning of entry of pork and pork products from Luzon and other ASF affected areas, they have also created a Task Force to see to it that all pigs coming in and out of the province were issued a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. (PNA)
