By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Quezon City (QC) government on Thursday declared all its markets free from the African swine fever (ASF) virus.
In a statement, City Veterinarian Dr. Ana Maria Cabel said her department has inspected all markets selling frozen meat.
“I can safely say that the city is ASF-free,” Cabel said, adding that they started the inspection on Monday.
In May, the Food and Drug Administration advised that meat products from Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Moldova, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Romania, China, South Africa, Zambia, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Germany are suspected to be affected by ASF and to be temporarily banned from being sold in the country, per Department of Agriculture Memorandum Order 18-2019.
To ensure that all domestic and imported meat products in the city are safe, Cabel reported that their department is closely monitoring markets, slaughterhouses, and supermarkets.
“Sa mga markets, may mga designated place na nagbebenta ng frozen meat. In-inspect namin yung stocks nila, at wala namang galing sa (In the markets, there are designated places which sell frozen meat. We have inspected their stocks, nothing is from the) banned countries,” she said.
Citing the World Organization for Animal Health’s definition of the disease, Cabel stressed that ASF is not a health risk for humans.
“Ang ASF ay parang pneumonia sa mga hayop. Mga hayop lamang ang naapektuhan nito hindi mga tao, safe ito kainin ng mga tao (ASF can be likened to pneumonia in animals. It only affects animals, they [meat] are safe to eat for humans),” she said.
Cabel advised the public to only buy meat from their trusted vendors to avoid purchasing ones contaminated with diseases.
“Tingnan ang mga kaukulang meat inspection certificate dahil ito ang nagpapatunay na safe ang inyong biniling karne (Also check the appropriate meat inspection certificate because it proves that the meat you bought is safe to consume),” she said.
While it does not pose a threat to humans, the risk of ASF entering the country could result in “great losses” in the swine industry.
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