ILOILO – The number of “red zone” towns in this province due to African Swine Fever (ASF) has risen to nine. The recent additions were Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas in the 4th District.
Two barangays each in Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas logged infections, according to the provincial government.
The latest barangay to record ASF cases in Barotac Nuevo was Cruz. Specimen samples taken from there on Dec. 22 tested positive for ASF.
Two weeks earlier, the town’s Barangay Cabilauan was the first to be classified a “red zone”.
In Dumangas, ASF infections were detected in barangays Jardin and Ermita on Dec. 22.
In red zones, the movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials in and out of the two municipalities is prohibited.
The “red (infected) zone” status shall remain until lifted by the provincial government.
The first seven municipalities to become “red zones” for ASF were Oton, San Miguel, Leganes, New Lucena, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, and Mina.
The following containment measures must be implemented in red zone areas:
- Intensified monitoring, surveillance, investigation, and test and destroy operations within the municipality;
- Movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials from the quarantine area (QA) – area up to one kilometer from the infected area (IP) to outside quarantine area (OQA) – area outside the one kilometer radius from the IP up to the administrative boundary of the city/municipality classified as red (infected) zone, shall be prohibited;
- Public/delivery transport shall not carry/deliver live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials from and into the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Leganes, New Lucena, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, Mina, Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas;
- Conduct of red zone quarantine checkpoints; and
- Conduct monitoring of transport terminals for enforcement of this provision.
Earlier, Defensor stated that Ilonggos are gradually adjusting to ASF.
The governor said that, for instance, the public does not panic when measures against the hog disease are being implemented.
“I think the province is slowly adjusting. Ang treatment daw pareho na bala sang iban nga masakit nga nag-agi sa aton,” said Defensor.
He added that people have learned to observe minimum biosecurity standards against ASF, especially the TaHuM campaign – Tapak, Hugas kag Matinlo nga Pagpakaon.
“Indi na sia solution, galing kay mabuhinan lang ang risgu naton. Kon indi maigu ang aton backyard indi ma-ano ang aton farmers. That’s what we are doing right now. Kag sa kabilogan, observing it, the province is adjusting,” the governor added.
Still, the provincial government is not complacent and continuously monitors the situation through its Provincial Veterinary Office./PN
