• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The vigilance of the local task force on African swine fever (ASF) has paid off, following the interception of 14 hogs from Cebu, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Monday.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that the hogs were immediately sent back to Cebu.
The province of Negros Occidental, except the highly urbanized Bacolod City, bans the entry into the province of live pigs, pork and its related products from Negros Oriental, Cebu, Panay, Luzon, and Mindanao.
The resurgence of ASF outbreak in Valencia, Negros Oriental, also prompted the provincial government of Negros Occidental, to double their alert in various ASF checkpoints in Hinobaan, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, San Carlos City, Isabela.
Authorities are conducting tests on blood samples of hogs in Negros Oriental towns and cities, following the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Valencia recently.
Alejandro Rafal, head of the Department of Agriculture – Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that his office received reports of supposed ASF cases.
“Confirmatory tests have to be done to ascertain if there is ASF resurgence outside of Valencia,” Alejandro Rafal, head of the Department of Valencia of Agriculture – Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office told the Philippine News Agency on Monday.
As of August 9, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported that no new ASF cases in Valencia were reported, following culling operations of nearly 200 hogs in Barangay West Balabag.
Rafal is pushing for strengthened biosecurity measures in the towns and cities to prevent the further spread of ASF.
He blamed the resurgence of cases on the lack of monitoring and regular blood sample testing of hogs.
The movement of hogs and pork from one area to another without certification from local government units is a factor for the spread of ASF even as he urged raisers to stop the practice of swill feeding.* with PNA reports
