14 lechon stores in QC temporarily closed amid African Swine Fever scare

The Quezon City government on Wednesday issued temporary closure orders against 14 lechon stores in La Loma after some pigs in the area tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF). 

This was after its City Veterinary Department (CVD) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recently inspected the lechon establishments in La Loma. 

“Sa naturang inspeksyon, natuklasan na may mga baboy na nagpositibo sa African Swine Fever (ASF) kaya’t inirekomenda na isailalim sa culling ang mga baboy upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit,” the Quezon City government said in a statement on Thursday. 

(In the said inspection, it was discovered that some pigs tested positive for African Swine Fever, hence it was recommended that the pigs be subjected to culling to prevent the spread of the disease.) 

“Bunsod nito, naglabas ng Temporary Closure Order sa labing-apat (14) na lechonan ang Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) Miyerkules ng gabi alinsunod sa rekomendasyon ng BAI, CVD, at City Health Department (CHD).” 

(Because of this, the Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department issued a Temporary Closure Order for fourteen [14] lechon establishments on Wednesday night in accordance with the recommendation of the BAI, CVD, and City Health Department.) 

The city government assured the public that the ASF is isolated to the area, and poses no threat to other markets in the city. It also noted that the virus is not transmissible to humans. 

“Nagsimula na ang proseso ng disinfection sa mga apektadong lugar sa La Loma. Nagtalaga din ng checkpoints ang lokal na pamahalaan upang kontrolin ang paggalaw ng mga baboy mula at papasok sa La Loma,” it added. 

(We have begun the disinfection process in the affected areas in La Loma. The local government has also set up checkpoints to control the movement of pigs from and entering La Loma.) 

A dialogue was also immediately conducted with affected business owners on Thursday morning to discuss health and safety protocols and assist them in complying with standards for their eventual reopening.

“Tinutulungan na ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga negosyante para matiyak na susunod sa health and safety protocols ang mga lechonan nang muli silang makapag-alok ng de-kalidad na pagkain sa publiko,” the city government said. 

(The local government is already assisting the business owners to ensure that the lechon establishments will follow health and safety protocols so that they can once again offer quality food to the public.) 

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Administrative Circular 12 which allows the recognition of ASF-free zones within accredited exporting countries in line with the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The DA said only the countries it accredited may apply for ASF regionalization recognition. — JMA, GMA Integrated News