Zambo steps up ASF campaign, launches training

ZAMBOANGA CITY has stepped up its security and campaign against the African Swine Fever to prevent the entry of the deadly hog disease.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the local government continued its intensified campaign and even held a three-day ASF Prevention and Biosecurity Training under the auspices of Office of the City Veterinarian and the Agriculture Training Institute. 

City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said the training was planned and initiated by the local government’s ASF Prevention and Control Committee created by Mayor Beng Climaco last year. 

He said the participants to the training were members of the Surveillance and Rapid Action teams, the Quarantine team, the Census team and 20 barangay chairpersons from Vitali and Ayala Districts, Curuan, Manicahan and Culianan Districts. 

Arriola said the barangay chairmen have been designated as Barangay Biosecurity Officers and will be assisted by the Barangay Health Emergency Team. 

The ASF virus is transmitted by direct contact, ingestion of garbage or swill feeds containing unprocessed infected pig meat or pig meat products, ticks and biting flies, and contaminated premises, vehicles, equipment and clothing.

While not a human health threat, the ASF is capable of annihilating the entire swine industry. As of yet, no vaccine or treatment exists to combat the virus. But stringent importation policies, early detection and strict biosecurity measures are being carried out to ensure Zamboanga City remains ASF-free. 

Climaco underscores the need for the immediate adaptation of the National African Swine Fever prevention program to protect Zamboanga from the dreaded animal disease and protect the swine industry and stakeholders. 

She ordered checkpoints in entry and exit points in Zamboanga to ensure that no infected hogs and its pork products slipped past the city since the ASF breakouts in the country began in 2019. 

City veterinary personnel continue to inspect and conduct disinfection of trucks transporting live pigs and other animals to Zamboanga to protect the hog population against the ASF, according to the mayor, who added strict protocols are also being observed to monitor and regulate the entry of hog and pork products here as a measure against the contagious animal disease. 

Climaco said the Office of the City Veterinarian also regularly conducts animal deworming, anti-rabies vaccination and even vitamin supplementation for its employees to ensure their health and welfare. It also conducted meat inspection, visited poultry raisers and held dialogues with stakeholders, especially on ASF. (Zamboanga Post)