PIGS in a slaughterhouse in Carcar City in southern Cebu tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF).

This was confirmed by Provincial Veterinary Office head Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy on Monday, March 6, 2023.

Vincoy told reporters that the pigs that tested positive came from Negros Island and were slaughtered along with local pigs.

Vincoy said they were able to determine this during a laboratory examination conducted at the Animal Disease Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry. The testing was conducted last March 1 as part of the Carcar City’s veterinary officers’ regular surveillance.

“The samples that were collected were taken from the slaughterhouse. Even though the pigs were already slaughtered, we are doing our best to contain the disease, apparently additional samples were submitted to the regional diagnostic laboratory for additional confirmation,” Vincoy said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

Following the incident, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order to temporarily ban the entry of pigs and pork products from Negros Island for 30 days or until April 5.

The Province also revoked the travel pass it issued to livestock transport vehicles and reefer vans from Negros Island.

The governor also tasked mayors, barangay officials, local police, personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu Port Authority and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and even airline operators and shipping companies to strictly implement her order. (ANV / TPT)