DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA)) -- The awareness campaign to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Negros Oriental has been intensified by the provincial task force through the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Provincial ASF Coordinator Dr. Nino Perez bared that the contingency plan was already in place long before ASF cases were reported in the country.

A representative from the Coast Guard Station in Dumaguete City raising his concern on the need to prohibit pork products from passenger's provisions inside the boat because it poses danger to African Swine Fever (ASF) contamination during the recent ASF Mitigation and Prevention workshop in the city. (PIA NegOr)

He confirmed that currently there are no reported cases of ASF in Negros Oriental.

Part of their contingency plan was distribution of posters, inspections and conduct of seminars in port of entries in the province and local government units (LGUs) on the impact of ASF as mandated by Executive Order 36 series of 2019 emphasizing the prohibition of entry of animals without proper documentation including meat products and by-products of pork.

Perez said as a result of their awareness campaign, Vallehermoso was the first LGU to establish a checkpoint for non-entry of animal products.

According to Perez, high swine mortality rate, severe socio-economic impact, international market loss, and public health risk are among the impacts of ASF.

The Coast Guard Station in Dumaguete City is recommending the production of videos to be shown in port terminals and inside the boats, warning passengers on the dangers of ASF contamination from food leftovers or "lamaw" of pork products they bring as provisions during their trip.

Leftovers are commonly fed to pigs which is seen as one way to spread the ASF virus that can contaminate, and possibly wipe out, the local hog industry.

Department of Agriculture (DA-7) Regional ASF Focal Person, Dr. Daniel Ventura, Jr., said the cooperation and engagement of all stakeholders and task forces on ASF are critical in the successful prevention of ASF cases in the province.

Ventura also assured the public that ASF poses no health risks to humans. (lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)