Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores appealed to Aklanons to be responsible constituents amidst the first recorded cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province of Aklan.

In a press conference, April 14, Miraflores confirmed the first two cases of ASF in Aklan particularly in Barangay Arcangel in Balete. Out of the three blood samples of hogs that were sent to the Department of Agriculture Region 6 on April 11 , two tested positive of the deadly virus.

“Our main goal as of the moment is to contain the virus in the affected area. We must ensure that it will not spread to the other parts of the province that are still ASF-free,” he said.

He added that the provincial government also aims to prepare everyone as ASF is already in the province and 95 percent of hog raisers in Aklan are backyard raisers.

Based on the report of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian here, the confirmed two cases were simply raised in a backyard.

“Gaapela gid kita sa kapwa naton Aklanon nga mangin responsable pa gid kapin nga nakasueod eon sa probinsya ro ASF. (We appealed to our fellow Aklanons to be very responsible as ASF has already entered the province),” he said.

Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores (left) confirmed the first two cases of African Swine Fever in the province of Aklan (SQP/PIA-Aklan)

According to Miraflores, included in their action plans will be the stricter checkpoints in every border of the province. Thorough checkpoints are to be expected to ensure that entry of pork and pork products from other provinces as well as from Arcangel, Balete will be prevented.

However, he added that this step is not a 100% assurance but if every resident of Aklan will cooperate and be responsible enough in not allowing the entry of the prohibited products in the province, this will ensure the prevention of spreading of ASF in Aklan.

Further, OPVET-Aklan head Dr. Maria Cyrosa Leen Mabel Siñel urged hog raisers especially backyard raisers to refrain from swill feeding, especially that this was the cause of infection of the first two ASF cases in Aklan.

Siñel said that such feeding has been long banned by the OPVET to hog raisers in Aklan to practice as this has already proven to cause ASF and other deadly diseases to the swine population in the country as well as overseas.

In line with the appeal of the governor, Siñel likewise called on for cooperation and support, as this is everyone’s responsibility to make the whole province of Aklan to be ASF-free once again.AAL/SQP/PIA Aklan