OpinionsEcon 101Who’s afraid of ASF?

Who’s afraid of ASF?

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The National Meat Inspection Service has said that African Swine Fever (ASF) does not cause any health problems to humans, but once tainted pork is ingested, or if people get too close to infected meat, we can become carriers of the virus.

It is good to know that the government is implementing measures to curb the spread of ASF.

However, even if the meat has been processed or canned, the virus can survive.

African swine fever is fatal and highly contagious for pigs, with no known cure.

It can be transmitted through contaminated feeds, and even through non-living objects such as shoes, clothes, and knives, due to the virus’ high resistance.

Do you feel assured?

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed that ASF has caused deaths of hundreds of pigs, warthogs, and boars in several areas in Luzon.

It causes pigs to have high fever and lose their appetite. It also causes hemorrhages in their skin and internal organs.

More than 7,400 pigs have been culled from farms in villages in Rizal and Bulacan provinces that were feared to have been hit by the viral infection in recent months.

Is the government doing something to contain the disease? This is really a nagging problem since most people always look forward to the presence of Mr. Lechon in every gathering or party.

Agriculture Sec. William Dar has reported that seven areas in two provinces in Luzon have been affected by ASF: in Rizal, the areas of San Jose, Macabud, San Isidro, San Rafael, Mascap, and Cupang in Antipolo; Bulacan, the area of Guiguinto.

Lab tests have confirmed that African swine fever caused the death of pig herds in at least seven villages near Manila.

A multi-agency body will be set up to ensure the highly-contagious disease does not spread further, DA officials said.

In addition, Secretary Dar said in a news conference that 16 out of 20 blood samples sent to a British lab tested positive for the disease, but further tests were needed.

“What hit us…we don’t know which one among the 35 strains,” Dar lamented, referring to the different strains of the virus with varying degrees of lethality.

Despite confirmation of the infections, Agriculture authorities in our Province state that they are in control of the problem, and will further tighten quarantine checks, including in airports and seaports, and crack down on smuggling of imported meat to prevent large-scale outbreaks.

They have assured that local pork supply and prices will remain normal.

Extreme caution should be exercised to prevent the entry of meat from sources outside the Province. Let us just enjoy our delicious NegOr lechon. Basta NegOr, okay pa sa alright!

Happy Buglasan! Rain or shine, basta dili mo ulan!

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Author’s email: [email protected]

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