Cebu border control vs ASF, bird flu remains

CEBU, Philippines — To ensure that Cebu Province will remain African Swine Fever (ASF) free and bird flu free, the provincial government will continue to strictly monitor and implement border control in the entry of live hogs and poultry into the province.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that her executive order prohibiting the entry of live hogs and other products and byproducts from ASF infected provinces will remain. The same goes for the entry of live birds and poultry to the province.

“Padayon ang tight controls nato sa borders against ASF that has hit more than 50 provinces. So, padayon ang atong pag-prohibit sa atong live hogs, pork and pork-related products from the entire Luzon, Mindanao and Region 8,” Garcia said.

Cebu is one the largest producers of pork products in the country, especially when ASF hit areas in Luzon, forcing some companies and suppliers to get their hogs and products from Cebu.

The current measure the Capitol is imposing is meant to protect the P11 billion hog industry of Cebu.

As to the poultry products, Garcia also said she does not want to “take a risk” in allowing live bird entry into the province, especially that the P12 billion poultry industry is at stake because of the threat of bird flu.

April this year, Garcia issued another executive order expanding the prohibition of entry of live poultry and wild birds, including game fowl, pigeons and pet birds from Luzon to Mindanao because of the threat of Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 or bird flu.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form the disease generally results in high mortality. ASF is a different disease to swine flu. The virus does not affect people and there is no impact on human health.

On the other hand, avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. — JMD (FREEMAN)