BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the City of Bacolod have created a Joint Task Force preventing the entry of live pigs and pork products from places affected of African Swine Fever to the province and the city.
This includes boar semen, food items containing pork, including manufactured, and processed pork.
Last 13 October 2022, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Iloilo reported its first suspected case from Oton town.
The task force, which was created through a joint executive order, is formed to protect the swine industry of Negros Occidental, and Bacolod, as well as sync policies in barring the entry of infection here, given that there is no vaccine available yet for a disease with a 100 percent fatality rate.
This includes screening and inspection of incoming shipments of live animals and pork product outside province, mandatory and regular disenfection of transport carriers upon arrivals at ports among others.
ASF is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals and ingestion of ASF contaminated feeds and food wastes.
ASF has become endemic in various LGUs affecting almost 53 provinces and 704 Cities and towns nationwide.