ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) -- Gov. Fredenil H. Castro has created and ordered a task force to intensify border controls to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province amid a positive case of ASF virus in Iloilo.

"To ensure that the province will remain ASF - free, the Provincial ASF Task Force is hereby mandated to intensify border control and it is hereby authorized to conduct regular and/or random checkpoints in every entry point, both in land and water, in the province," Castro said in the Executive Order No. 28 issued today, Oct. 14.

The governor also calls for a strict implementation on veterinary quarantine procedures and food safety on the movement of swine pork, pork products and by-products within the province.

The EO has cited that the National Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry has confirmed that the blood samples collected by the rapid action team of the Veterinary Office of the Iloilo provincial government and DA 6 from a suspected case in Iloilo was positive for ASF virus.

The ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs and in its acute form, the disease generally results in high mortality.

It continues to affect the swine production sector in the country with no vaccine and no known cure to date. (JBG/AAL/PIA Capiz)