Saturday, June 10, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News Top Stories

Dreaded virus zaps pigs

Othel V. CamposbyOthel V. Campos
September 10, 2019, 1:45 am
in Top Stories
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

The Philippines on Monday confirmed its first cases of African swine fever, becoming the latest country hit by the disease that has killed pigs from Slovakia to China, pushing up pork prices worldwide.

Dreaded virus zaps pigs

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the infected pigs were found in Bulacan and Rizal, and authorities have culled more than 7,000 pigs within a one-kilometer radius.

Dar said 14 of 20 samples sent to a UK laboratory tested positive for African swine fever, but it will take another week to confirm how virulent the strain is and whether it is similar to that of Vietnam and China.

READ: Don’t worry despite swine fever—Dar

The virus was first recorded in Rodriguez town in Rizal, 10 kilometers east of Manila. Other undisclosed areas are still being closely monitored for possible infection, he added.

“Today, we wish to announce the result of the confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction test [done in the United Kingdom]. It is African swine fever positive,” Dar said.

There is no antidote or vaccine and the only known method to prevent the disease from spreading is a mass cull of affected livestock. 

The virus is not harmful to humans but causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death.

He said the nation was not facing an epidemic and urged Filipinos to continue eating pork, which is a critical market and accounts for 60 percent of meat consumption in the country.

“We have never been in an epidemic, just to highlight that. We are responding to the increased number of deaths of pigs,” Dar said.

“To date, we believe we have successfully managed the issue, as a misstep could erode the gains and competitiveness of the country’s P260-billion swine industry that provides and sustains livelihood of millions of Filipino families, as roughly two-thirds or 65 percent of the industry is contributed by small backyard raisers,” he added.

The Philippines is the world’s 8th biggest pork producer by volume.

Authorities suspect the swine fever cases stemmed from backyard hog raisers who feed pigs swill, leftover food scraps from hotels and restaurants.

The Agriculture department added the virus could also be traced to smuggled frozen meat and returning overseas Filipino workers who brought back infected meat products.

In May, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization said pork prices had begun to soar, rising by up to 50 percent both in China and on the Chicago futures exchange.

Dar said the Agriculture department had yet to receive reports of more hog deaths.

Dar, along with Health Secretary Francisco Duque and other DA and DOH officials, hog stakeholders, and members of the private sector earlier shared a meal to show the public that it was safe to eat pork.

“As long as the hogs passed through the proper process of slaughtering and preparation, the public should not fear eating pork,” Dar said. 

“We want to allay the fears of the public by saying that, as long as pork is bought from reliable sources and it is cooked thoroughly, pork is safe to eat,” Duque added.

Before slaughtering, a hog is validated and assessed by a veterinarian, who then issues a medical certificate. Once slaughtered, the meats are stamped with a seal from the National Meat Inspection Service, assuring that it passed the food safety measures imposed by the government, Dar said.

Strict quarantine and monitoring protocols would remain in place to protect hog farms in other parts of the country, Dar said.

The DA also suspended the ground operations in Rizal province and focused on cleaning and disinfecting operations.

The Palace said the government has taken measures to ensure public safety.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), ASF is a severe and highly contagious viral disease among domestic and wild pigs.

It is commonly introduced into a herd after the feeding on uncooked or undercooked contaminated pork products which are then ingested by the pig.

The virus is then spread between pigs by direct contact with an infected pig, or ingestion of contaminated material (such as food waste, feed, or garbage). It can also be transmitted by contaminated fomites or ticks or blood-sucking insects.

Pigs infected with the ASF virus experience high fever, depression, loss of appetite, redness of ears, abdomen, and legs, vomiting, and diarrhea that may lead to death.

Because ASF can spread easily, hog raisers are advised not to feed raw or undercooked pork products such as swill, garbage or waste to pigs.

Senator Francis Pangilinan urged communities, including piggery owners, to be vigilant and immediately report signs of the disease.

“We hope that no more pigs will be culled, and if absolutely needed, it must be done in the humane way and in a manner that would not expose people to the disease,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan, who was food security secretary when an infected ornamental plant started the cocolisap infestation in 2014, said border controls must work to keep contaminated pork or pork products away. With AFP and PNA

READ: Bulacan hogs culled amid swine flu signs

READ: Ilocos bans pigs, pork, by-products

Macon Ramos-Araneta, MJ Blancaflor

Tags: African swine feverpolymerase chain reaction testWilliam Dar
ADVERTISEMENT
Othel V. Campos

Othel V. Campos

Related Posts

20,000 flee restive Mayon

byCharles Dantesand2 others
June 10, 2023, 1:05 am
0
8
20,000 flee restive Mayon

Blast at summit sign of possible eruption as Albay declares state of calamity MAYON AGLOW. Mayon Volcano's crater is aglow...

Read more

Gov’t keeping close eye on Taal, Kanlaon activities too

byCharles Dantes
June 10, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Alert Level 2 up as Taal Volcano remains restive

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has ordered its offices in the Bicol region and Calabarzon to heighten their monitoring...

Read more

El Niño here, US agency says; Save more water, PBBM orders

byVince Lopez
June 10, 2023, 12:55 am
0
8
Brace for new heat records: UN raises alert on El Niño by July

An expected El Nino climate phenomenon has arrived, raising fears of extreme weather and temperature records, scientists at the US...

Read more

NAIA 3 suffers 30-min. power outage anew

byMacon Ramos-Aranetaand1 others
June 10, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
Customs seizes 28 lizards from toy shipments

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s premier gateway, suffered another 30-minute-long power outage on Friday – barely a...

Read more

Focus on besting 6% GDP growth, lawmakers urged

byMaricel Cruz
June 10, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. urged the House of Representatives to remain committed to...

Read more

DMW lists 20 ‘cardinal sins’ for recruitment agencies

byManila Standard
June 10, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Palace awaits DMW report on US island labor dispute

To strengthen the rights and welfare of land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) signed on...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Innovator boosts SMBs’ competence
  • Logistics platform prioritizes interest of delivery partners
  • CSR campaign expands into a livelihood project in urban and rural communities
  • BPO firm calls for new round of donations for the underprivileged
  • Traveling with your little ones in Singapore? Here’s what you can do in the Lion City
  • How to stay connected when going out of town
  • Cozy family staycations this June
  • Defiant Butler insists Heat will fight all the way

Advertisement

Latest News

How to stay connected when going out of town

byNickie Wang
June 10, 2023, 6:10 pm
0
8
How to stay connected when going out of town

When you’re heading out of town, it’s important to stay connected with your loved ones and keep up with social...

Read more

Cozy family staycations this June

byManila Standard
June 10, 2023, 6:00 pm
0
8
Cozy family staycations this June

June greets the metro with cloudy skies and sweater weather, perfect for staying in bed for a few more minutes,...

Read more

Defiant Butler insists Heat will fight all the way

byAFP
June 10, 2023, 2:00 pm
0
8
Defiant Butler insists Heat will fight all the way

At the end of a season in which they have overturned the odds more than once to  reach the NBA...

Read more

Pixar returns with immigrant fable ‘Elemental’

byAFP
June 10, 2023, 1:00 pm
0
8
Pixar returns with immigrant fable ‘Elemental’

Pixar is seeking to rediscover its box office fortunes with timely immigrant fable "Elemental," the animation studio's first totally original...

Read more

On Lampedusa, Red Cross takes over grim migrant hub

byAFP
June 10, 2023, 12:00 pm
0
8
Rapper Drakeo the Ruler fatally stabbed at LA festival

The reception centre on the Italian island of Lampedusa is for many migrants their first taste of Europe after crossing...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App