SAN JOSE, Antique – The province of Antique remains free from the African swine fever (ASF), according to Dr. Florencio Macuja, provincial veterinarian.
Animal technicians in Antique’s 18 municipalities are constantly checking their respective areas and they have not monitored cases, he stressed.
ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. Although it is harmless to humans, the disease can kill pigs within a few days, and the fatality rate can be up to 100 percent, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
“Ang problema lang natun ang mga gina-hand carry ka mga naga uruli rugya sa probinsya nga may dara kang mga processed meat. Amo daad ginadumilian gid anay magdara ka mga may karne ka baboy nga produkto rugya sa probinsya,” said Macuja.
If ASF enters the province, all hogs within one-kilometer radius will be killed, and from two to 10 kilometers will have restrictions in movement, he added.
“Once makasulod dya sa probinsya duro ma-apektuhan ang pangabuy-an kag bahol gid nga lugi sa ekonomiya kang baboy natun,” said Macuja.
He reminded Antiqueños not to purchase pork products, processed and frozen, especially from outside Western Visayas.
“Kabay pa gid nga ang tagsa-tagsa kanaton magkooperar, dumilian anay pagbakal ka produkto nga may karne ka baboy online, kapin pa galing sa iba nga probinsya. Let us cooperate para mangin ASF-free sa giyapon ang probinsya kang Antique,” Macuja added.
As of now, Antique supplies hogs to Luzon particularly in Metro Manila, Rizal and Bulacan. However, according to Macuja, there are certain protocols to follow.
They must have Veterinary Health Certificate (issued by ProVet), Veterinary Shipping Permit (issued by Bureau of Animal Industry), and Disinfection Certificate (issued by Provet). This is to make sure that hogs going out of the province and personnel/truckings going back to the province are safe from any viruses. (Antique PIO/PN)
