• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While a ban on the entry on pork supply from Luzon, Mindanao, Cebu, Panay, and Negros Oriental to Negros Occidental remains in effect, the Provincial Veterinary Office yesterday called on hog raisers not to lower their guard, in the wake of fresh outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in some areas of Batangas.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana disclosed on Wednesday that floods that hit some areas of Batangas have helped the spread of ASF.
According to the Department of Agriculture, water is a primary vector of the virus.
Lemana called on hog raisers, who have already finished sentineling and started restocking of hogs, to ensure their pigpens, not to be affected by floods.
Four local government units in Negros Occidental, including cities of Silay and Victorias, towns of Hinigaran and Pulupandan have been declared Pink Zones or free of African Swine Fever.
Lemana also said that cities of San Carlos and Kabankalan, as well as La Castellana, have already been declared ASF free, but they are still waiting for a certification from the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Industry.
Hog fatalities due to ASF and other swine diseases reached 17,801 last year, representing 9.96 percent of the total hog population in Negros Occidental.
The hog industry incurred losses worth P200 million, as swine diseases affected 3,536 hog raisers in 153 barangays in 20 towns and cities in the province.*
