Agri chief tells public: No need to worry about African swine fever

Agriculture Secretary William Dar. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines  — Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured Wednesday that the public has nothing to worry about even if the results of the confirmatory tests on hogs suspected of having the African swine fever (ASF) virus come out positive.

Dar told reporters in Malacañang that the agency has quarantine and food safety measures in place.

“We will disclose Friday [the results] if it is positive or negative,” he said.

The agriculture chief said the last component of the confirmatory tests would be known Thursday.

Asked if the public needs to worry about the results, he categorically said, “no.”

“Even if it’s positive, but much better if it’s negative, we have quarantine and food safety measures in place all over the country,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture earlier sent tissue samples of hogs to laboratories overseas for testing following the rise of hog mortality in some areas in the country. /jpv

Agriculture Secretary William Dar says the gov't will release on Friday the findings of investigation into the reported swine disease in the Philippines. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/uGa73VXXLT

— Darryl John Esguerra (@drrylesguerra) September 4, 2019

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