The provincial government of Ifugao has prohibited the entry of live hogs and fresh and frozen pork products to protect the province against African swine fever (ASF).

The ban was issued under Executive Order (EO) 14-2020 dated February 12, a copy of which was released to the media on Monday.

According to the EO, the latest reports on ASF show that the Cordillera region, including the provinces of Kalinga and Benguet, has been affected by the virus.

Ifugao provincial veterinarian James Gopeng requested the residents to cooperate and report illegal traders transporting undocumented live pigs and pork products using private vehicles to evade checkpoints.

On February 11, authorities received information that eight pigs at the Lagawe slaughterhouse manifested clinical symptoms of ASF and were ordered condemned.

Blood samples were sent to the animal disease diagnostic laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry for confirmation. (PNA)