DA imposes, adds stricter measures to control ASF outbreak

Foot baths and tire paths will be added to security measures already in place against the African Swine Fever (ASF), as it is no longer just the pigs that are responsible for spreading the ASF virus but humans as well, the Department of Agriculture said Monday.

Department of Agriculture spokesperson Noel Reyes told reporters that foot baths and tire paths are meant to disinfect all persons and vehicles coming from hog farms.

“Hindi na mismo ‘yung baboy ang nagkakalat ng virus kundi ‘yung mismong mga taong nagpupunta doon. Kailangang may disinfection procedure,” Reyes noted.

“Lock down” procedures have also been implemented in Bulacan and Pampanga.

“Pinaiigting lang doon sa mismong 1-7-10 protocol,” he said. “Dapat may PNP. ‘Yung 1-7-10 protocol, talagang naka-cordon na yan.”

But Agriculture Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan told reports there it a different concept of lock down that is now in place but a “control procedure.”

“Hindi po ganun ‘yung konsepto ng lock down. Kasi pag ni-lock down natin ‘yan, talagang magkakagulo po tayo. Hindi po siya lock down,” Cayanan said.

“It’s more of a control procedure on the exit and entrance, as well as yung mga destination. For traceability lang po. So makikita po natin doon na kung saan at alin-aling mga lugar puwedeng mag-distribute o mag-transport ‘yung mga area na minomonitor po natin,” Cayanan added.

Asked what term should be used instead, Cayanan replied, “Movement nga po dapat ‘yon. ‘Yung contained, controlled, managed movement po. While we are facing this challenge, hindi naman naapektuhan ‘yung ating value chain at ‘yung mga consumers’ area natin.”

In its latest bulletin, the DA Crisis Management Task Force on Swine noted the “imposition of ‘lock down’ procedures in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga, cordoning validated areas as ‘ASF-infected zones,’ for easier movement control of pigs and pork products.” —VDS, GMA News