The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus in pigs in two commercial farms and two backyard farms in Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija.
In a late night press conference yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Health Secretary Francisco Duque, however, assured the public that the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus is not a human health problem, but an animal health issue.
The DA and its agencies, led by the Bureau of Animal Industries, accidentally discovered the virus while investigating the previous outbreak of the Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which affected the local hog industry last year.
The test was conducted in May, June and September this year.
Upon detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus, the infected pigs were killed, officials said.
Infected hogs displayed flu-like symptoms.
The DA has put under quarantine four farms where the virus was detected.
Duque gave assurances that the virus is of “low pathogenecity” and is different from the feared African Ebola hemorrhagic virus.
Yap said all of the human pig handlers and even the operators in abattoirs in the affected areas were tested and posted negative for any infection from the Ebola Reston strain virus.
However, taking a precautionary and proactive stance, the DA and the DOH have informed the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization Internationale de Epizooties of the detection of the Ebola Reston strain virus in the local hog population.
Yap also ordered a stop to all pork exports until it has completely eradicated the virus from the local hog population.
Experts from the WHO, led by Dr. Soe Nyunt who attended the press conference, assured the public that there is so far no data or evidence that the Ebola Reston strain virus detected in the four farms can infect humans.
Duque advised the public that while local pork is safe to eat, the public should ensure that the pork they buy is properly handled and thoroughly cooked.
Pork, he said, should be boiled with a core temperature of 70 degrees centigrade and that all the juices run clear and are not bloody.
Food handlers and the public are advised to follow five food safety rules: keep clean and separate raw and cooked food, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperature, use safe water, and select fresh food.
Duque and Yap also advised the public to buy meat only from meat stalls with certification from the National Meat Inspected Service of the DA. – With Sheila Crisostomo