ILOILO City – The Office of the City Veterinarian renewed its warning against illegal backyard hog raising, particularly along riverbanks, saying such activities significantly increase the risk of African Swine Fever (ASF) transmission.
This city has heightened its defenses against ASF following the resurgence of the highly contagious swine disease in neighboring Capiz and Negros Island, with veterinary authorities placing emergency response teams on full alert to prevent the virus from entering the city.
The Office of the City Veterinarian said its Veterinary Emergency and Tracking (VET) Alert System Team, together with deputized Barangay Animal Health and Welfare Officers (BAHWOs), has intensified surveillance, monitoring, and biosecurity measures as part of an aggressive campaign to protect the city’s livestock industry and food supply.
“Illegal hog raising near riverbanks is strictly prohibited, and we urge residents to report any violations,” the Office of the City Veterinarian stressed in a statement.
Caused by virus, ASF causes hemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate of up to 100% in infected hogs. It results severe economic losses to the swine industry but is not a threat to human healt.
In light of the ASF resurgence in Negros Island, Iloilo City is taking proactive measures to protect the local livestock industry, its environment, and Ilonggo families, it added.
The city government’s Task Force Hot Meat continues its daily inspections in public markets to ensure that pork and other meat products sold are properly inspected, safe for consumption, and compliant with food safety regulations.
The City Veterinarian’s Office likewise reminded the public to “buy pork exclusively from licensed and accredited vendors displaying valid inspection certificates.”
The City Veterinarian’s Office assured residents that all ASF prevention protocols remain fully operational and that authorities are closely monitoring the situation to detect and contain any potential threat.
“Our Veterinary Emergency and Tracking (VET) Alert System Team, alongside deputized Barangay Animal Health and Welfare Officers, are on high alert and actively monitoring the situation. We want to assure the public that our prevention protocols are fully operational,” it said.
The office emphasized that keeping Iloilo City free from ASF requires collective vigilance and public cooperation.
Infected pigs typically exhibit the following signs: high fever; decreased appetite, lethargy, and weakness; red, blotchy skin or skin lesions, particularly on the ears and abdomen; vomiting, diarrhea, and heavy discharge from the eyes and nose; and difficulty breathing.
The ASF virus is extremely resilient and can survive for long periods in the environment, in carcasses, and in cured or processed pork products. It spreads through:
* direct contact with bodily fluids from infected pigs;
* ingestion of contaminated feed or uncooked food waste;
* indirect contact via contaminated clothing, shoes, or farm equipment
There is no commercially available vaccine or cure for ASF. The primary method of controlling the disease is rigorous biosecurity and herd management./PN
