K2.3 million approved to fight virus

CABINET has approved K2.3 million towards the fight against the African Swine Fever (ASF) incursion in the country, according to the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia).
Managing director Joel Alu said K1 million would come from the Livestock Development Corporation under the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and K1.3 million from the Treasury’s consolidated revenue funds.
The deadly virus was first reported late last year after pigs were dying in large numbers in Mendi-Munihu and parts of Nipa in Southern Highlands.
Alu said Naqia acted swiftly by deploying a team of animal health experts including veterinarians and representatives from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation to investigate the reports.
“The team did initial containment, delimiting surveillance, carried out rapid field tests and conducted awareness campaigns on the outbreak in March.
“Based on advice by the chief veterinary officer Dr Ilagi Puana, Minister John Simon declared Southern Highlands, Enga and Hela on March 30 as disease areas and to be in quarantine,” Alu said.
Naqia is trying to stop the spread of the virus to other parts of the Highlands.
Puana said last month in Port Moresby “pigs are valuable animals.”
“We have to do control movement.
“We need to do awareness.
“This is where you (stakeholders) come in,” he said.