Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 29) — The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has placed Zamboanga City under “red zone” as cases of Asian Swine Fever (ASF) were detected in five barangays.
BAI Officer-in-Charge Director Dr. Reildrin Morales issued the declaration on May 23, the local government of Zamboanga said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
According to city veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola, affected barangays are Pasonanca, Bunguiao, Mangusu, Curuan and Manicahan.
He said three areas were contained through depopulation and assistance was given to affected swine raisers.
The local government said it has intensified ASF containment measures following the release of confirmatory lab test results on May 12. The Barangay Health Emergency Response Team and task groups will also be activated and mobilized.
The city government has appealed to residents to purchase pork and its by-products from authorized stalls or sections in public or private markets or meat shops and to always demand for the Meat Inspection Certificate issued for the day.
It has also asked residents to avoid pork and pork products from mainland and other ASF-infected areas.
Meanwhile, swine raisers are requested to “report any disease conditions or mortalities to the Office of the City Veterinarian, adhere to strict biosecurity measures, and that sick or dead animals should not be slaughtered for food to avoid food poisoning and contaminating other areas,” the local government said.
Feeding of swill or food scraps is also discouraged, it stressed.
