‘Summer activities can spread ASF’

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed alarm that summer vacation and picnics could aggravate the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the country.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said that ASF could be easily transmitted during the dry season.

“ASF virus spreads easily during summer. While the virus can be eliminated in high temperatures, the transmission rate is high during the dry season and it can easily die during cold weather,” Estoperez said.

He said that ASF is now a national concern as the virus has affected 16 of 17 regions in the country.

“As many people embark on summer vacations, picnics, excursions, what we want to prevent is the spread of ASF  from one province or island to another, where more hogs can be infected,” Estoperez said.

He reiterated his call for travelers to refrain from bringing fresh or cooked pork and pork products to prevent the spread of ASF.

“We are not helping the swine industry. An individual can be a carrier of the virus through shoes or the clothes he wears. What more if you bring pork products with you,” Estoperez said.

The government is trying its best to implement the protocols of the World Organization for Animal Health to address the problem, he said.

“It seems there are those who do not report cases of ASF. They only report it if there is an outbreak already. We know the symptoms of hogs infected with ASF. The cooperation of the public is very important. Our task force will appreciate it if it can examine the affected swine through laboratory tests,” he said.

The DA said it has yet to verify reports that the provincial government of Cebu has issued a gag order on ASF outbreaks, noting there are now 12 areas including six cities and six towns that are infected with the virus.

“We still don’t have information on that. What I know is the movement of pork is limited in the province, and there are areas that banned the entry of pork from Cebu because other provinces also need to protect their hog industry,” he said

Estoperez gave assurance that the DA would continue to reach out to Cebu even as Gov. Gwen Garcia ordered the culling operation stopped and filed cases against officials of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) before the Office of the Ombudsman.

He said he still does not see the need for the Department of the Interior and Local Government to intervene by mandating local government units (LGUs) to follow the protocols being implemented by the DA.

“We still do not need it as, just as I said, reaching out is the first step,” Estoperez said as he assured stakeholders that the DA is trying to fast-track the development of a vaccine against ASF.

“We are trying to hasten the vaccine, but at present, trials are still ongoing,” he noted.

Latest data from the BAI showed that the provinces of Aklan, Albay, Antique, Batanes, Biliran, Bohol, Bukidnon, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Misamis Occidental, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Quirino and Romblon are still free from ASF.

At least fifty-four provinces have logged ASF cases.