MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has ordered town and city mayors in the province to strengthen bio safety, hygiene and sanitation standard in slaughterhouses, public markets and live animals auction markets following the first African Swine Fever (ASF) case recorded in Mindanao.
Emano said in compliance of which is subject to inspection by the Provincial Multi-Agency ASF Task Force.
The capitol’s top official also directed all local chief executives to form their Quick Response Team which will conduct immediate investigation and control of any disease outbreaks.
“Furthermore, to conduct ASF awareness drives and educate backyard farmers on the need to report diseased pigs for investigation and not to sell the same; and should there be mortalities, to bury dead pigs 6 feet below the ground and not to throw these anywhere,” the order said.
Emano issued an executive order early this week, banning pork and other pork-related food products from Davao Region, which records the first ASF case in the island.
A 24/7 veterinary quarantine stations will be installed and strict quarantine procedure will be implemented such as disinfectant spraying of motor vehicles’ wheels and compulsory alighting of passengers for foot-bathing and cargo inspection of all closed-meat delivery vans, whether refrigerated or not.
This includes setting up of truck/vans disinfectant spraying and foot bath stations in all seaports and airport within the province.
Emano also ordered the confiscation of prohibited items, pork and pork-related products, frozen boar semen including other meat products with possible cross-contamination at the quarantine stations for eventual disposal in accordance with the established rules and regulations.
“To avoid the potential spread of the infection, the disposal/destruction of the confiscated pork and other prohibited items violating the ban shall be done the soonest possible in an area provided by the concerned LGU where the confiscation was made or where the said items were intercepted,”the order said.
The order also said “it shall be the duty of every person passing or entering the territorial jurisdiction of the province to voluntarily surrender and dispose of prohibited items, such that concealing them shall be considered unlawful and subject to imposition of the fine to be determined by the task force.”