Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado has called for an urgent meeting with hog raisers and other groups to discuss the status of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province.
During the meeting Friday, Governor Aumentado updated the attendees on the executive orders and other laws that have been implemented to maintain Bohol’s ASF-free status.
He emphasized the importance of protecting small businesses and understanding their situation, even with strict implementations in place.
Governor Aumentado expressed his hope that everyone understands that these measures are for their own good and that his attention to all is fair. He reiterated his commitment to being sincere in fulfilling his mandate.
Aumentado also called for cooperation and mutual support in the fight against ASF.
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly disease that affects both farm-raised and feral (wild) pigs. The virus that causes ASF is a large, double-stranded DNA virus in the Asfarviridae family. It can be transmitted from one pig to another through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected pig or by feeding uncooked food waste that contains contaminated pork products to pigs.
ASF does not infect humans, but it can cause significant losses in pig populations. In some cases, the virus can cause death in animals as quickly as a week after infection. The virus persistently infects its natural hosts, including warthogs, bushpigs, and soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros, which likely act as a vector.
Efforts are ongoing to develop multiple mitigation strategies such as a vaccine to prevent ASF, drugs to treat sick pigs, and virus mitigants that could be included in animal food.