ASF in Bulacan under control, no new cases reported

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The African swine fever (ASF) situation in this province is under control as no reports of new infections have been received, the Provincial Veterinary Office said on Thursday (Sept. 1).

Dr. Voltaire Basinang, the provincial veterinarian, said no other ASF case was detected in the province as of date, and several hog farms have reopened.

Basinang said the last ASF case detected was in a hog farm in Santa Maria town last month which led the provincial government of Aurora to impose a temporary ban on the entry of live pigs, pork, and pork processed products from this province and from Pampanga and Tarlac effective Aug. 30 to Sept. 30 this year.

“Ang naturang ban ng Aurora sa baboy ng Bulacan ay nag-ugat sa muling pagkakaroon ng kaso ng ASF sa isang babuyan sa Santa Maria. Bagama’t ang nasabing kaso ng ASF ay nakontrol na at hindi na kumalat, minabuti pa rin ng Aurora na maglatag ng pansamantalang ban sa ating mga baboy. Hindi naman ito makaka abala sa ating mga magbababoy dahil ang ating mga baboy ay sa Bulacan at Metro Manila lamang dinadala. Napakaliit na porsyento ng ating baboy ang napupunta sa Aurora kung mayroon man,” he said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Governor Daniel Fernando has ordered the strict monitoring of hog farms in the province.

Fernando made an assurance that the provincial government will do the necessary actions to support the hog raisers in the province.

He also assured the public that the meat products coming from Bulacan are safe to consume.

He said as the head of the province, he understands the decision of the provincial government of Aurora.

“Naiintindihan ko ang responsibilidad na protektahan ang kanilang nasasakupan at marahil ganoon din ang ating gagawin sa lalawigan. Bagaman wala pang tiyak na bakuna laban dito, walang dapat ipag-alala ang ating mga Bulakenyo hog raiser dahil sinisiguro ko na ang ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ay nangunguna sa pagsasagawa ng cleaning at disinfection sa bawat lungsod at munisipalidad upang mahigpit na mabantayan ang pagkalat pa nito,” he said. (RONDA BALITA Online: Manny D. Balbin)

SOURCE: ASF in Bulacan under control, no new cases reported - Ronda Balita