Mati City in Davao Oriental remains free from the African swine fever (ASF) even while its neighboring provinces are registering infections, an official said Wednesday.
In an interview, city information officer Ben Jason Tesiorna told the Philippine News Agency that the local veterinary office will continue to regularly monitor and inspect all meat shops and markets in the city.
Last month, the neighboring Davao del Norte reported several ASF infections in various towns. Last week, Davao de Oro reported that two of its towns have been infected with the virus.
Dr. Marites Linsag Erispe, the local veterinary officer, said they managed to seize hundreds of packs of processed meat products sold without the necessary papers during an inspection on Tuesday.
In one shop alone, Erispe said 418 packs of chorizo and 242 packs of tocino were confiscated for violation of City Ordinance No. 71 series of 2011 and Republic Act 9296, otherwise known as the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.
“To all meat shop vendors, especially online sellers, make sure that the products you are selling do not come from areas with known ASF-infection,” she said.
She also appealed to backyard hog raisers to immediately notify their office in case of any ASF symptoms on their animals. She added that swill feeding must also be avoided, as this has been known to be the common mode of transmission for the ASF virus.
Erispe said they can also supply hog raisers with feeds if needed. (PNA)
Photo Credit: www.pia.gov.ph
