No confirmed ASF presence in areas with unusual swine deaths, DA says

Department of Agriculture spokesperson Noel Reyes on Sunday said there is no confirmed presence of African swine fever (ASF) in areas reported with unusual pig deaths.

In an interview on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali, DA spokesperson Noel Reyes said no results for the blood samples of suspected pigs from Bambang, Nueva Viscaya, and Quezon City indicating ASF infections.

“Hindi pa po (confirmed of ASF). Kung may ganyang report, pinupuntahan ng Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) at nakikipag-ugnayan sa city o provincial veterinarian ang lugar na iyan para kumuha ng sample,” he said.

Reyes added that the process to confirm ASF is not immediate.

In Quezon City, veterinarians took blood samples of pigs after the owner noticed a change in their appetite.

“Bina-validate pa po ng BAI. Nag-usap na po si Secretary Dar at Mayor Joy Belmonte kaninang umaga,” Reyes said.

Meanwhile in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, residents found a dozen dead pigs dumped at the back of terminal.

Reyes reminded that dumping dead animals in inappropriate places is prohibited under the Republic Act 9003 or the Waste Management Act.

He added that this action could also be considered a violation under the Republic Act 8495 or Animal Welfare Act. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News