Despite having zero African swine fever (ASF) cases, this city continues to strengthen its biosecurity measures to protect its hog population and ward off the severe viral disease now affecting domestic pigs.

Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, the head of the City Veterinary’s Office (CVO), in a radio interview Tuesday said the measure would protect the city’s hog industry as well as the consumers.

Pinili assured that the city government will not let its guard down and that they are strictly implementing the protocols against the entry of pork products to the city.

“Currently, there’s none [reports of ASF]. We are trying our best that it will not enter Davao City. We are in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Bureau of Animal Industry so that ASF will not resurface here in Davao City,” she added.

In addition to the strict implementation of animal control points, Pinili said her team is conducting education campaigns for backyard farmers on ASF and how to prevent their hogs from getting infected.

“We tell them to really implement their biosecurity measures. They should have footbaths, daily disinfection, and refrain from letting other people enter their farm,” she said.

The last recorded case of ASF in the city was July 2020 in Lumiad, Paquibato District. Since then, the city has established Animal Control Points in Buda, Sirawan, Lasang, and Sta. Ana Wharf to make sure that no pork products without proper documentation will enter the city.

Pinili said the team assigned in control points are strictly requiring documents such as ASF certification from the DA, a veterinary health certificate issued by the provincial or private veterinarian, and shipping permit.

“We have received a lot of calls that our quarantine checkpoints are very strict, especially backyard raised hogs,” she noted.

The first case of ASF in Davao City was recorded in February 2020 in Barangay Dominga and Lamanan, Calinan District where more than 2,000 hogs were depopulated. (PNA)