- GILBERT BAYORAN
The Provincial Veterinary Office clarified Monday, May 8, that there is no African swine fever contamination in Negros Occidental, only hog cholera.
This was the explanation of Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Placida Lemana, on the culling of sick pigs in the town of E.B. Magalona and other areas of Negros Occidental, in the past weeks.
Based on laboratory findings, Lemana said that the sick pigs are suffering from hog cholera that was also triggered by extreme heat.
ASF cases and hog cholera have similar symptoms, she noted.
Lemana also said that they have to cordon areas affected by hog cholera to prevent its spread.
This also developed as Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson encouraged all mayors in Negros Occidental to strengthen their biosecurity measures against transboundary animal diseases.
In his letter dated April 27, Lacson ordered local chief executives to mobilize local veterinary or agriculture officers “to conduct 24/7 veterinary quarantine inspection in boundary checkpoints, in coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office, and ensure effective disease monitoring and surveillance.”
“In the transport of animals from one LGU to another or to the slaughterhouses, the trader/owner/shipper must secure the required Veterinary Health Certificates issued by the government veterinarian and the livestock transport carriers must be registered with the LGU or with the PVO,” the governor said.
Lacson also cited “the serious threat of transboundary animal diseases”, such as hog cholera, ASF, and the highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu which could be aggravated by the extreme high heat index that could compromise the immunity of livestock and poultry.
Lemana advised hog raisers to have their animals vaccinated.
Negros Occidental has banned the entry of live pigs and pork-related products from the islands of Cebu, Panay, and Guimaras, as well as several areas in Luzon due to the detection of ASF cases./GB
