Cebu City Veterinarian Alice Utlang said salmonella infection has not affected animals in the city, particularly hogs, albeit clarifying that the bacteria can still be found in the waste of animals.
“Wala tay report nga nadawat nga naay nasakit nga hayop tungod sa salmonella pero kung muingon ka nga naa bay salmonella atong mga baboy, naa kay it’s a bacteria nga makita nimo sa mga hugaw sa hayop.” Utlang explained.
Salmonella infection has caused a stir among animal growers in Eastern Visayas but Utlang said the infection has not reached the region and Cebu City in particular.
She said her office is constantly monitoring slaughterhouses and piggeries in the city to make sure that the infection is prevented and that animals suspected to be infected with the bacteria will not be sold in the markets.
Utlang said that once the meat of an infected animal is eaten by humans, the bacteria will surely be transmitted.
Aside from the inspection, Utlang said the ban on swine from Eastern Samar is still being enforced.
In a recently inspection, the Animal Health Mission recently discovered 700 pigs affected with salmonella infection.
Last December, 84 of the 700 pigs died and some were eventually killed to prevent the bacteria from contaminating.
Another 60 hogs were also reported to have been affected by the bacteria in Daram, Samar and just last week, the infection was noted in Babatngon, Leyte.
Utlang said quarantine agencies in the ports of Cebu are always on the alert for infectious animals and even plants and are strict in implanting the no permit, no entry policy. — Ferliza Contratista and Elias Bolonos of Banat News/JMO (THE FREEMAN)