Manila Veterinary Inspection Board says city safe from ASF

MANILA, Philippines — Meat products in Manila are safe from the African Swine Fever (ASF), the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) assured the public on Tuesday.

VIB Chief Dr. Nick Santos, nevertheless, said the board remains on “high alert” in inspecting meat products in order to prevent the spread of ASF among meat products in public markets, cold storages, ports and even backyard hog raisers.

“Ang African Swine Fever ay  90% to 100% ang mortality rate sa mga baboy. Ibig sabihin nito ay deadly sa baboy, ngunit hindi ito nakakahawa sa tao. Ipinagbibigay alam ng Veterinary Inspection Board na ligtas kumain ng karne ng baboy,” Santos said in a report to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

(African Swine Fever has a swine mortality rate of 90% to 100%. ASF is deadly for pigs but there is no human transfer. The VIB would like to inform the public that it is safe to eat pork.)

“Ang ASF ay hindi nakakahawa sa tao, dahil ang tinatamaan ng ASF ay mga baboy lamang. Ang VIB ay striktong nag-iinspeksyon at nagmo-monitor sa mga supply ng baboy na pangkatay at sa mga produktong karne na itinitinda sa mga pamilihan ng ating lungsod,” he added.

(ASF cannot be transferred to humans. It can only affect pigs. The VIB is conducting strict inspection and monitoring of all meat supplies in the city.)

He said continuous inspections and monitoring of pork products are being conducted by the VIB since September 1 amid ASF reports nationwide.

Santos also advised the public to remain vigilant when buying meat in markets as he also encouraged them to ask for the appropriate meat inspection certificates.  /muf