ZERO ASF. Hogs ready for distribution to livestock farmers in Iligan City on July 28, 2022, under the swine sentinel program of the Department of Agriculture. Since then, the city has been free of African swine fever cases. (File photo courtesy of Iligan CIO)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government of Iligan will increase biosecurity measures to maintain zero cases of African swine fever (ASF).
In a statement on Thursday, Dr. Dahlia Valera, the city veterinary officer, said Iligan remains in the "yellow zone" under the Department of Agriculture classification and is not considered "high risk."
ASF checkpoints are installed at city borders to carefully monitor trucks carrying swine and pork products, Valera said.
"We have been strict in allowing entry of swine here, but what we are worrying because we are also being watched by those who do ‘hurdles,’" she said.
"Hurdles" are swine negotiators who look for supplies and suppliers, or sometimes are direct suppliers transporting the livestock.
Valera urged the public to report activities related to selling pork products and live hogs that have bypassed local government inspection.
The City Veterinary Office also conducted disease monitoring of hog farms and observed proper sanitation of slaughterhouses, including the feeding practices of hogs to prevent ASF cases. (PNA)
