The province of Aklan is still free from the deadly African swine fever (ASF), according to provincial veterinary quarantine officer Dr. Christine Lyn Melgarejo.
The province has been consistent in implementing its strict biosecurity measures to control the influx of meat products transported by inbound passengers at the Kalibo International Airport.
“From Jan. to Oct. this year, we already confiscated around 1,900 kilos of processed meat. This came from the Chinese, South Koreans, domestic tourists, and the overseas Filipino workers,” Melgarejo shared.
All the confiscated items from their ports were immediately disposed by the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Gov. Florencia Miraflores started a 90-day temporary ban, last September, on the influx of live swine and pork products in the province, such as canned goods and by-products from various countries and areas from Luzon where ASF is prevalent.
ASF triggers high fever, loss of appetite, hemorrhage, and death among domestic and wild pigs. (RJ Espartinez)