• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other hog diseases in Negros Occidental was declared contained in the absence of hog deaths over the past several weeks, the Provincial Veterinary Office is now eyeing the start of repopulation by next year.
This developed as Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued a memorandum to all local government units, pertaining to the guidelines and protocol to be followed in line with the start of hog sentineling program in Negros Occidental, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana disclosed yesterday.
Prior to the sentineling program, backyard hog raisers have already prepared for the ASF recovery program by cleaning and disinfecting the areas where the sentinel hogs would be placed, Lemana said.
PVO will also get samples for laboratory examinations to determine the presence of the virus. If all systems are go, Lemana said the hog raiser may put the vaccinated sentinel animal under observation, within a period of 40 days.
If the sentinel animal survives, the hog raisers may start the swine repopulation, she added.
PVO is expected to start the pre-sentineling program for hogs next month.
During the recent Provincial Development Council, Lemana said they are targeting the start of swine repopulation by 2024.
Lemana reported that they have been conducting massive disinfection in public markets and slaughter houses, using lime powder, since July.
PVO also urged hog raisers to have their pigs vaccinated.
Lemana blamed the rapid spread of hog diseases in local government units of the 4th district of Negros Occidental on the practice of dumping dead hogs to irrigation canals and rivers.
Of the 32 LGUs in the province, seven were hit by ASF, as well as hog cholera.
Hog fatalities in Negros Occidental due to ASF and other swine diseases this year reached 17,801, representing 9.96 percent of the total hog population in the province.
The hog industry in Negros Occidental incurred losses worth P200 million, where at least 3,536 hog raisers in 153 barangays in 20 towns and cities were affected.*
