The Oriental Negros government is strengthening its guard against the entry of live animals, as well as meat, from areas affected by the foot and mouth disease and the corona virus in Luzon. Provincial veterinarian Antonio Mutia assured Negrenses, though, that the province remains FMD-free.

Quarantine officers are directed to strictly enforce quarantine procedures especially on the shipment and movement of hogs and meat from Luzon, which is being hit by Corona virus, Mutia said.

He said his office is closely coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Animal Industry in enforcing the ban of the entry of "hot meat."

Mutia, however clarified that, processed canned or cooked meat, are safe as long they have been certified from the point of origin.

The province, under Gov. George Arnaiz, will also double check this, Mutia said.

FMD has been reported in Luzon. It is also endemic in the Middle East, Iran, the southern countries of the former Soviet Union, India, and Southeast Asia.

Sporadic outbreaks occurred in South Korea in 2000 and 2002, Japan in 2000, and in peninsular Malaysia, reports said.*

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