THE local government unit of La Trinidad, Benguet prohibited the sale, transfer and entry of pork from five identified African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected barangays to counter the spread of the disease.
Executive Order 31-2020, signed by Mayor Romeo Salda, states that the transfer, sale and bringing out of live pork or otherwise is prohibited from identified ASF-affected barangays in the town.
Salda issued the order after reports of possible resurgence of ASF cases in town while the Office of Municipal Agriculturist conducted an examination and verification in the reported areas.
Barangays with confirmed cases of ASF are in Barangays Bahong, Lubas, Pico, Puguis and Wangal.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Executive Committee, together with concerned citizens decided on measures to counter the spread of ASF.
This include a mandatory municipal-wide registration of hog growers, prohibit transfer, sale and bringing out of pork from the said barangays and for testing be conducted to adjoining barangays, once contamination is verified, a depopulation will ensue.
"However, pork could still be consumed after being thoroughly cooked. Moreover, pork may still be purchased from locally registered slaughterhouses in barangays Lubas and Bahong since regular inspection is conducted thereat," the order added.
Benguet Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) also appealed anew to the public to stop swill feeding and observe cleanliness in pig pens.
The PVO also asked all hog raisers to stop feeding leftovers locally known as "arasaw" in order to prevent the spread of ASF.
Hog raisers are also asked to observe strict handwashing and change clothes and slippers when feeding the pigs.
Buyers are not be allowed to enter pigpen areas while rugs with disinfectant must be in place at the hogpen entrance, while hog raisers are requested to report to the veterinary office hog death and illness.
Last March, ASF cases were recorded in three municipalities of Benguet, namely, Tuba, La Trinidad and Itogon.
ASF is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs.