Campaign against animal diseases, intensified

July 15, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – The regional agriculture department conducted an animal health welfare forum at the Crown Legacy here on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 approaching the prevention of animal diseases for safety and economy of the country’s food supply and security, the Department of Agriculture – CAR said in a statement on Friday, July 12, 2019.
The statement said that DA-CAR Livestock Banner Coordinator/Chief Regulatory Division OIC Ruben Dulagan is considering everyone to be interested in animal health for reasons very essential to consumers.
He also said efficient prevention on animal control relies on appropriate legislation and coordination of everyone as part of the veterinary governance.
Updates on African Swine Fever (ASF) and a contingency plan were highlighted during the forum, the statement said, adding that the disease is a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever in pigs caused by a virus and can be spread via fomites and in uncooked pig products.
ASF regional focal person Karl Kigis urged LGUs to intensify their campaign through instructional, educational and communication activities to the public, the statement said.
He also said that ASF is a serious disease challenge requiring multi-sectoral and multi-level cooperation. The draft of a national contingency plan crafted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) was also presented during the event.
Representatives from different local government units (LGUs) of Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Abra attended the forum, and were oriented on the creation of a quick response team for disease events and emergencies in accordance with DA Special Order No. 353, series of 2016 dated March 15, 2016, the statement said.
Other topics tackled during the said forum included the Dairy Development Project; Dairy Herd Health; Dairy Forage Development; Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases in the Philippines; Transboundary Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases; Insect-Borne Diseases; Antimicrobial resistance; and Animal Diseases Reporting, among others.

Alfredo C. Canero III-PRO I/Merriam del Rosario-ABN