Legazpi City tightens chekpoint against ASF

LEGAZPI CITY Feb. 26 – Personnel from the City Veterinary Office headed by City Veterinarian Dr. Emmanuel Estipona  and KB 155 Legazpi-Zion Chapter  headed by KB 155-23 Sam Castillo launched a Joint Operation Task Force African Swine Fever (Bantay Karne) Checkpoint in Brgy. San Roque, Legazpi City on Tuesday Feb. 25. to ensure that all swine to be butchered are free from African Swine Fever (ASF). Laser temperature gun was used to measure the temperature of the pigs before directing them to the city abattoir.

In his statement Estipona said that livestock technicians are stationed round the clock to closely monitor the health of every pig coming from nearby villages to make sure that the swine had no fever and not infected with ASF.

“Swine owners must also acquire a veterinary health certificate to prove that the swine are fit for human consumption”, Estipona added.

He also assured consumers that the pork meat sold at the city’s wet markets would be ASF-free and fully inspected by the National Meat Inspection Services.

Earlier, the Albay Provincial Veterinary Office headed by Dr. Pancho Mella has declared a “lockdown” banning all kinds of animals and meat products coming in and out of Albay to stop the spread of ASF after the 23 pigs died in Bombon, Camarines Sur were tested positive of ASF. (NMmdl)