BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana yesterday said that Victorias City and the entire province of Negros Occidental remain ASF (African Swine Fever) free.
Lemana made the clarification in the wake of reports that ASF was detected in Victorias City, after the conduct of routine surveillance of local swine diseases, following reports of a pig suffering from fever.
Contrary to claims, the samples taken from Victorias City turned out to be negative of ASF, she said. There is nothing to worry, Lemana pointed out.
Aside from Oton, ASF has also been detected in Leganes, Oton and Alimodian.
It is creeping towards Dumangas, Lemana said.
Dumangas, in Iloilo, is linked to Negros Occidental through a port.
Lemana said that that having an animal laboratory in Negros Occidental is an advantage for the province, as tests can be immediately conducted.
Negros Occidental and highly urbanized Bacolod City have banned the entry of live pigs and pork-related products from Panay and Guimaras islands.
Lemana said heightened alert has been declared in all ports and coastal areas of the province, where small motorboats can sneak in.
Four police personnel assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office are now augmenting the joint ASF task force manning the entry points at the Banago Port in Bacolod City, following an orientation conducted by Provincial Veterinarian Office.
This also developed as the joint provincial and city PVO team confiscated 59 packs of frozen siomai originating from Luzon, at a local store in Victorias City.*
