• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental continues to log zero swine mortalities in the past 11 days, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana disclosed yesterday.
Lemana said they have not received any report of hog mortalities from affected local government units as of August 21, which she described as a “welcome and positive” development.
She attributed it to the disinfection and decontamination efforts of the PVO, in tandem with local government units and other agencies, and immediate actions being taken to stop the spread of swine diseases.
PVO reports indicated hog deaths of 17,801 in Negros Occidental, with damage to the swine industry pegged at P199,777,900. The mortalities represent 9.83 percent of the entire hog population of the province.
But Lemana said she is not yet recommending the start of the hog sentineling program in the province, which is part of the African Swine Fever recovery program of the Department of Agriculture.
Prior to the sentineling program, Lemana said they have to prepare the area for the ASF recovery program by cleaning and disinfecting the areas where the sentinel hogs would be placed.
According to DA program, the sentinel animals will undergo a 40-day observation period under their assistance.
Lemana said they will prioritize most affected area, which is District 4, in the sentineling program, followed by Districts 3, 5 and 6.*
