Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. yesterday issued an executive order banning the entry of swine, pork, pork products, and pork by-products from areas affected by African swine fever. According to the Department of Agriculture, the virus has been detected across Europe and Asia, including Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Belgium, Bulgaria, Moldova, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, South Korea, and China.
Domestically, pigs tested positive for the virus in Rizal and Bulacan. The Bureau of Animal Industry earlier declared an outbreak in several areas of the said provinces.
“[African swine fever] is a threat to the swine industry and the food security of the province,” the governor stated.
In addition, strict veterinary quarantine procedures and food safety measures will be implemented for the products in question, along with quarantine checks at ports across the province and Iloilo International Airport.
Defensor noted, the move is a preventative measure as the province is still free from African swine fever.
Earlier this month, the governor created the Iloilo Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force which gathers data on swine, implements enhanced biosecurity practices at all ports of entry, conducts initial disease investigations, and institutes outbreak control protocols if necessary, among other duties.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), African swine fever is a viral disease that can lead to  “serious production and economic losses.” The disease originate from ticks and can be spread through both direct and indirect contact.
OIE notes, “There is no approved vaccine against African swine fever.”
In addition, the disease does not pose a risk to humans./WDJ