FOLLOWING the Ebola epidemic threat in Bulacan and Pampanga, all entry points to Negros Occidental have been declared under "strict quarantine."

The order was made as per the Food-and-Mouth Disease Task Force guidelines of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

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Provincial Vet Renante Decena said Wednesday that quarantine measures have been set up in all ports in the province for all incoming passengers and visitors to ensure safety in the province against the widespread Ebola virus that already downed thousands of hogs in Luzon.

Reports have it that 6,000 "Ebola-infected hogs" were burned to ensure that the killer virus will not spread to other parts of the country.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also widened its monitoring and surveillance in Bulacan and Pampanga against the threat of transmission of the Ebola Reston Virus (ERV).

Decena assured that the scare has not yet reached the province, but said precautionary measures have to be made in anticipation of the unpredictable virus transmission.

He also urged the public to avoid eating 'kilawin' and half-cooked pork and to cook their food well.

Meanwhile, Decena said the province would hold a livestock and poultry fair by the first week of April.

He said sheep and goat breeders in Negros, in coordination with the Alliance of Hogs Raiser Organization, the Federation of Paravet, Poultry and Livestock Association and the Negros Federation of Dairy Cooperative, are joining the fair.

The occasion is in line with the animal genetic program under the food production project of the Provincial Government.

Governor Isidro Zayco said two genetic improvement centers (GICs) have already been established in central and southern Negros Occidental. The facilities are designed for breeding animal industries, poultry and livestock.

Established GICs are located in Kabankalan City and La Castellana with a P5 million funding appropriated by the Provincial Government.