Bohol imposes border control after reported ASF cases in Cebu

Tagbilaran City, Bohol ((CNN Philippines, March 16) — After reports of African Swine Fever (ASF) infestation in neighboring Cebu, the Bohol provincial government imposed border controls on pork products in ports and airports.

At the Tagbilaran port, a K9 unit that specializes in sniffing pork meat inspects bags.

On Thursday, port authorities confiscated pieces of lechon (roast pork) Cebu, processed pork meat, pancit (noodle) and pasta containing pork, hopia (local pastry) with pork, and pork siomai (Chinese dumpling).

Since last week, port inspectors have confiscated at least 30 kilograms of pork which were mostly brought by passengers coming from Cebu.

Some tourists, especially foreigners, are unaware of the ASF protocols and most of them carry food items containing pork.

Local officials also carry out random inspections of hand carry bags.

At the port, confiscated food items are doused with a chemical disinfectant before these are brought to the Provincial Veterinary Office for incineration.

Tourist police assist the task force in all sea ports and at the airport in Bohol Island.

Bohol Veterinary Quarantine Inspector Liliosa Bulias said the task force against ASF was created a few months ago.

"When the ASF was confirmed in Cebu last week, we became stricter and use K9 units. The cases are already near because it is already in Cebu. Bohol is now being surrounded," said Bulias.

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