• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Hog raisers in Negros Occidental have been advised to strengthen biosecurity measures and improve farm management practices amid reports of swine deaths in several areas of southern Negros.
Ric Lauron, president of the Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental, said they continue to assess and monitor the situation as concerns grow among backyard and commercial hog raisers.
“There is a little bit of panic among hog raisers because of the swine deaths being reported,” Lauron said.
He urged farmers to reinforce biosecurity protocols, housing conditions, and management practices, especially with the onset of the rainy season and changing weather conditions.
Lauron noted that while reports of hog mortalities have been received, particularly in areas from Himamaylan City down to the municipality of Ilog, no consolidated figures are yet available.
“There are already many casualties, but we are still consolidating reports from the affected areas in southern Negros,” he said.
Lauron said affected hogs reportedly exhibit loss of appetite and weakness before dying. Some raisers, fearing further losses, have reportedly rushed their hogs to market.
Amid speculation that African swine fever (ASF) may have resurfaced, Lauron said it would be premature to make such a conclusion.
“We are waiting for the declaration of the Bureau of Animal Industry in support of the Provincial Veterinary Office. We are not in a position to speculate whether this is ASF,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said there have been reported cases of hog mortality, but initial observations indicate that the deaths may be linked to weather-related factors rather than a disease outbreak.
“There are cases of hog mortality, but so far we can attribute them to weather conditions, particularly the sudden onset of the rainy season,” Lacson said.
The governor noted that the situation differs from previous ASF outbreaks, which resulted in widespread and massive hog deaths.
“Unlike our experience with ASF before, the mortality was massive. In this case, what we are seeing are isolated incidents,” he added.
Lacson said provincial authorities have instructed concerned agencies to immediately respond to any reports of hog deaths and are closely monitoring developments.
He added that the provincial government has procured disinfectants as part of its preventive measures against possible disease transmission.
“So far, there are no reports of massive hog deaths,” the governor said. | GPB
