• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The reported detection of African swine fever (ASF) among hogs in La Castellana, Negros Occidental is now under control, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian, said yesterday that since the deadly virus was detected in September, they have not monitored the resurgence of the ASF, following the conduct of testing and culling of affected swine.
Negros Occidental, which has a P6-billion hog industry, recorded almost 18,000 hog deaths in 20 areas since April, with losses estimated at around P200 million.
Lemana said they have been thoroughly conducting surveillance and regular monitoring, with the assistance of paravets, and continuing the collection of blood samples from swine for laboratory testing.
In the past months, ASF cases have also been reported in the cities of Kabankalan, Silay, Victorias and Bacolod as well as Pulupandan and Hinigaran towns.
Lemana admitted they have received reports that some backyard hog raisers, are now engaged in pre-sentineling for repopulation, without coordinating with the PVO.
Some of the hogs survived while others got sick, she said, noting that sickness indicates the need for daily disinfection of pig pens.
The PVO chief advised hog farmers to coordinate with the PVO before raising pigs again.
The provincial government is eyeing swine repopulation by next year.
Despite deaths of thousands of hogs, Lemana said there is no shortage of pork supply in Negros Occidental, as commercial hog raisers even sold more than 2,000 pigs last month outside of the province.
She noted though that in some areas in Negros Occidental, including E.B. Magalona, Talisay City and Bacolod City, pork are being sold from P300 to P315 per kilo while the pork sells at only P230 per kilo in Sipalay City.
Lemana also said the financial assistance of P2,000 per family of hog raisers affected by the swine diseases will soon be distributed by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. | GB
