Provincial News
Hog raisers warned vs. ASF By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY The provincial government of Agusan del Norte has created a task force to address the African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic, which constitutes a threat to hog raisers and pork industries. According to Dr. Belen Aruelo, quarantine areas. provincial veterinary officer, there are some 50,000 swine population recorded “We have established quarantine in the province. stations in the towns of RTR and Carmen as live pigs are said to be “There is really a need for sourced out from these areas going to immediate reporting considering the Central Visayas. And we have been threat of this African Swine Fever. doing measures to prevent the ASF,” Continuous monitoring should also be underscored Corvera. undertaken,” cited Aruelo. The order also directed a With the overall risk of the African temporary prohibition of entry of hogs Swine Fever in the country, the official and meat products coming from the urges the hog raisers to report to proper affected areas of ASF. authorities or call using the provincial veterinarian’s office hotline number Meanwhile, the Department should they observe any unusual of Agriculture (DA) Caraga has also condition of their hogs, so appropriate activated the Emerging and Reaction or measures will be undertaken. Emerging Infectious Animal Disease Task Force to help address this concern. Apart from the establishment The local government units in the of the said task force, Governor Dale region are also keen on implementing Corvera has also issued an executive the quarantine procedures. (JPG/NCL/ order for the inclusion of additional PIA-Caraga)
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Caraga Infocus
February 8-14, 2020