Koronadal critical in ASF – Dr. Calo
“We should be anxious and alarmed here in the City of Koronadal on the status of African Swine Fever (ASF) since the city considered as critical” City Veterinarian Dr. Charlemagne Calo posted as he warned the pork eater consumers that the said virus threatens to enter the city anytime following the recently reported cases in adjacent town which is only a few kilometers away from the city.
To restrain the spread of the said infectious disease, Calo is strongly beseeching cooperation from the general populace. He emphasized that even government implements all strict monitoring and surveillance at all checkpoints yet if there is lack of teamwork and support from each other, all concerted efforts will still be futile.
The veterinarian somehow could not avoid commenting on the issue since those who engage in hog raising are usually violators too, thus it is difficult to suppress ASF especially that it still remains incurable until now.
Calo on the other hand stressed that showing full cooperation means stop patronizing all pork-related products coming from places tagged as red zones, specifically if it sold at cut-price and on an arrangement or credit basis.
The officer also advised all swine farmers to vend their pigs that can now be sold while they can still make money from it and the uninsured ones must be registered with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) while these are not yet infected.
Aside from the interdependence of all sectors, Calo once reiterated that strengthening biosecurity is important to combat the aforementioned contagious disease. It includes regular disinfection of at least two (2) times a week and ensures the piggery must be freed from a stranger.
The City Veterinary Office (CVO) also calls for the same cooperation for avian bird flu as both are monitored to prevent entry into the city after the City of Tacurong was just declared under a state of calamity due to avian influenza virus.