Cebu detects first swine fever cases in 3 years

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The province of Cebu has recorded its first reported cases of the highly contagious African swine fever (ASF) in the municipality of Ginatilan, prompting local authorities to impose strict movement restrictions, border controls and livestock trading suspensions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Following the confirmation of ASF cases in Barangays Cagsing and Calabaza by the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), Ginatilan Mayor Roy Vincent Singco on Sept. 19 issued an executive order (EO) ordering measures to contain the highly contagious swine disease.

According to the three-page EO, the PVO confirmed the infections through official confirmatory testing. The office will serve as the technical authority for disease testing, monitoring, and guidance, while the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) will lead the implementation of ASF prevention and containment measures.

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READ: African swine fever hits 2 towns in Catanduanes

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The order will remain in effect until lifted by the mayor upon the recommendation of the PVO and the Department of Agriculture.

Ginatilan is a 4th class municipality located approximately 135 kilometers southwest of the province’s capital Cebu City. 

Entry, exit ban

Under the order, the entry and exit of all swine into and out of Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan are strictly prohibited.

READ: Pork prices fall as farmers rush to sell amid ASF fears

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The transport, transfer, purchase, sale or movement of swine within, into or out of the affected barangays requires prior written clearance from both the MAO and PVO.

Slaughtering or butchering swine, whether for household consumption or commercial sale, is also prohibited within the two barangays until further notice.

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Ginatilan will likewise prohibit the entry of live swine and all swine meat or pork products originating from Negros Oriental at all land and sea entry points of the municipality.

The order also establishes checkpoints at all entry and exit points of Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan, as well as municipal border checkpoints in Barangays Looc, Palanas, Mangaco and Salamanca.

Additionally, the local government there has ordered the Philippine National Police to lead land and highway border control, with support from barangay officials, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. 

The Philippine Coast Guard’s Ginatilan Station will enforce coastal and maritime controls in coordination with the MAO.

Trading suspended

As part of the containment measures, Ginatilan has temporarily suspended all buying, selling, trading and transfer of livestock throughout the municipality.

The suspension covers all days, including regular market days every Tuesday and Friday, and will remain in effect until further notice from the MAO, with concurrence from the PVO.

Livestock transport trucks and carriers are prohibited from entering barangays within Ginatilan to load, unload, buy or sell livestock. 

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Through traffic on the national road from Barangay Looc to Barangay Palanas may continue, provided vehicles do not stop, park, load, unload or conduct livestock-related transactions within the municipality. /cb