ASF FREE. Backyard raisers in Ilocos Norte are encouraged to register their hogs to the Provincial Veterinary Office for inventory and monitoring. Ilocos Norte is the only remaining province in Luzon that is free from African swine fever (ASF). (PNA photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The African swine fever (ASF) Task Force in Ilocos Norte has intensified further its surveillance operations among its hog farms with 20 heads above to ensure they strictly follow biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of the disease
Under the National Zoning and Movement Plan for ASF, Ilocos Norte is the only remaining province in mainland Luzon that is “protected” from swine disease.
This came after its neighboring provinces of Abra and Apayao have recently confirmed cases over the weekend, said Dr. Loida Valenzuela, provincial veterinarian on Wednesday.
Valenzuela said she immediately alerted the municipal agriculturist in Solsona town to check its border for the possible entry of ASF-infected hogs from nearby Apayao province.
“Laboratory samples are also taken from the different hog farms to ensure that they remain free from ASF,” she added.
Before the series of ASF outbreaks in various parts of the country, Ilocos Norte has since implemented precautionary measures by prohibiting the entry of live pigs and pork by-products from other areas without appropriate documents.
As of this posting, even members of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council who are helping out in border control measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have included the strict monitoring of cargo trucks including private vehicles that may be carrying undocumented pork products.
Valenzuela likewise appealed to all concerned local chief executives from the 21 towns and 2 cities of Ilocos Norte to report unusual swine and mortalities in the area to enhance the monitoring and reporting system on ASF.
All livestock raisers are also encouraged to register their hogs to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian for inventory and monitoring. (PNA)
