ASF WATCH. The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) is collectively sustaining the conduct of monitoring and surveillance activities to prevent entry of the African swine fever (ASF) virus into the region. The Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) and Internal Command System (ICS) for ASF Response has been commended for their efforts and determination in preventing the entry of the hemmorhagic fever virus that could infect pigs and boar in the area. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) on Wednesday said it continues to collectively sustain the conduct of monitoring and surveillance activities with other key agencies to prevent the entry of the African swine fever (ASF) virus into the region.
In a statement, the agency said the region remains a green zone, meaning it has no reported case of the hog disease based on the national ASF zoning map and movement plan.
It added that the DA continues to conduct monitoring activities along with the region's provincial and city veterinarians, the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry Regional Veterinary Quarantine Services (DA-BAI-RVQS7), National Meat Inspection Services-7 (NMIS-7) and stakeholders in the Regional Advisory Committee-Animal Disease Control and Emergency-7.
The intensified monitoring of swine farms and slaughterhouses, with the veterinarians of local government units (LGUs) as lead implementer, is aimed at early detection of ASF cases.
Dr. Daniel Ventura Jr., the regional ASF coordinator, said the ASF-free status of Central Visayas is attributed to the proactive stance and vigilance of the LGUs that are committed to protecting their respective jurisdiction against the entry of the viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar.
"For early detection and quick response, we need real time reporting coming from the field particularly on unexplained deaths in swine populations. We need to intensify monitoring of hogs and pork products at the ports of entry,” he said, adding that they “have already started screening for ASF blood samples that are randomly collected from slaughterhouses through the support of our LGU veterinarians”.
DA-7 regional executive director Salvador Diputado, for his part, urged the concerned veterinarians and stakeholders in the livestock industry to help ensure that Region 7 will remain an ASF "green zone" forever.
"It is very nice to hear that our region is a green zone, but, if we miss preventing the entry, it will be a big challenge and a tedious work,” Diputado said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Diputado reiterated his call for a more realistic crafting of an action plan against ASF. He further emphasized the need to ramp up awareness campaign especially on biosecurity protocols down to the barangay level.
"I encourage our LGUs through our veterinarians to lobby for the crafting of a local ordinance on biosecurity protocols with inclusion of INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion). We need a holistic approach for the prevention and recovery of the swine industry,” he said.
During a recent workshop on the drafting of Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) and the establishment of an Internal Command System (ICS) for ASF Response, DA-BAI commended Region 7 for its efforts and determination in preventing the entry of ASF in Central Visayas.
Dr. Samuel Joseph Castro, DA-BAI national ASF focal person, emphasized rendering high regards and significance to being an ASF-free region. He encouraged all stakeholders to be vigilant and be part of this battle, as part of the whole-of-nation approach.
"Everyone has its role (from big commercial farmers to a backyard raiser, down to being a consumer) as we try our best to curtail, prevent and stop the ASF from spreading," Castro said. (PNA)
