CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno confirmed on Tuesday, April 19, that the African Swine Fever (ASF) has entered the premises of the City slaughterhouse.
"Verified na nga nasudlan sa ASF mao nang nag undergo og disinfection and sunod naay stoppage of operations for a few days," Moreno said.
The City Veterinary Office last week issued an advisory stating that the operations of the City slaughterhouse has been suspended for disinfection as recommended by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS).
The advisory further stated the slaughterhouse, after disinfection, will remain closed until further notice or recommendation from the BAI for the resumption of operations.
Moreno said an investigation by the Anti-ASF Task Force is still ongoing to find out what caused the entry of ASF.
"Nangutana ako kung unsay rason ngano nasudlan man. Naay gisulti sa ako pero I don't think it would be proper for me to say kay gi-imbestigahan pa man," Moreno said.
"Kung dunay illegal act nga nahimo that caused the infection sa slaughterhouse sa ASF, then we must prosecute. Mao ang akong instruction sa ilang Dr. Acac (City Veterinarian Dr. Lucien Anthony Acac). We must prosecute kung naay illegal act," he added.
In the meantime, traders and livestock dealers are advised to avail themselves of the slaughtering services of neighboring municipalities.
The same procedure still applies. A barangay certification is required to secure a Veterinary Health Certificate from the City Veterinary Office.