Pork safe to eat amid ASF outbreaks, Manila meat inspectors say

Manila VIB chief, Dr. Nick Santos, however, said their office remains on “high alert” to prevent the spread of ASF among animals in public markets, cold storages, ports and backyard hog raisers so they continuously inspect them. (File Photo: Alex Proimos/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

MANILA — The Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) on Tuesday assured the public that it is safe to consume pork amid reports of African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in provinces near Metro Manila.

Manila VIB chief, Dr. Nick Santos, however, said their office remains on “high alert” to prevent the spread of ASF among animals in public markets, cold storages, ports and backyard hog raisers so they continuously inspect them.

“Ang ASF ay 90 to 100 percent ang mortality rate sa mga baboy. Ibig sabihin ito ay deadly sa mga baboy ngunit hindi ito nakakahawa sa mga tao at ipinagbibigay alam ng Veterinary Inspection Board na ligtas kumain ng karne ng baboy (ASF has 90 to 100 percent mortality rate among pigs. This means it is deadly in pigs and not in humans and the Veterinary Inspection Board says that it is safe to eat pork),” Santos said in a statement.

Santos reported that the VIB has been inspecting the public markets in Manila’s six districts since September 1.

“Mahigpit din ipinatutupad ang tamang protocol at pagbabantay sa kalusugan ng mga alagang baboy ng mangilan-ngilan sa ating mga backyard raisers sa ating lungsod (There is also strict implementation of the proper protocol and overseeing the health of the pigs owned by some backyard hog raisers in the city),” he added.

He advised the consumers to be vigilant when buying meat by asking for the appropriate meat inspection certificates which must be displayed by the vendors.

When buying frozen meat, consumers must look for a certificate of meat importation, Santos added.