Aklan mayors urged to enhance security vs ASF

KALIBO, Aklan – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here urged municipal mayors to implement stricter security measures on the heels of African swine fever (ASF) cases in Luzon and various countries in Asia. 

The provincial government also beefed up its security by setting up three animal quarantine checkpoints in towns Altavas, Nabas and Buruanga, and augmented personnel of Bureau of Animal Quarantine assigned in Caticlan jetty port and Kalibo International Airport.

Last month, Gov. Florencio Miraflores issued an executive order declaring a 90-day temporary ban on pigs and pork-related products originating from the provinces of Luzon and ASF-affected countries that might carry the deadly swine virus.

Meanwhile, the provincial board asked Agriculture secretary William Dar to provide x-ray scanner machines for Algeria port in Buruanga, Aklan and in Caticlan port, and to deploy additional veterinary quarantine personnel in the western parts of the province.

The Caticlan port in Malay, Aklan is a major gateway in the western seaboard of around 15 vessels loaded with 225 rolling cargoes, 5,500 passengers, 18 live pigs, and 6,800 metric tons of pork products daily.    

Kalibo airport also caters to regional flights from ASF-affected countries like China and South Korea, urging the need to enhance the security in seaports and airports, swine production and slaughterhouse facilities in the province. 

ASF can rapidly spread to wild boars and domestic pigs but does not affect humans. No vaccine is currently available for ASF.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)

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