• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Swine deaths in southern Negros was initially attributed by the Provincial Veterinarian Office (PVO) to weather conditions, with symptoms pointing to pneumonia rather than a disease outbreak.
Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana said on Wednesday, June 17 they are conducting massive surveillance and has directed local government unit (LGU) technicians to immediately report alarming cases in their respective areas.
“We advised LGU technicians to report any unusual cases so samples can be collected and examined to determine the cause of death,” Lemana said.
Hog raisers in Negros Occidental have been urged to strengthen biosecurity measures and improve farm management practices, following reports of swine deaths in several areas of southern Negros.
Earlier, Ric Lauron, president of the Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental, said there is a little bit of panic among hog raisers because of the swine deaths being reported.
Lauron noted that affected hogs reportedly show signs of weakness and loss of appetite before dying.
Some raisers, concerned about possible further losses, have reportedly rushed their hogs to the market.
Confirming reports of hog mortality in some areas of the province, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that initial findings suggest the deaths are linked to weather-related factors, particularly the sudden onset of the rainy season.
Lacson noted that the current situation differs significantly from previous African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, which resulted in widespread hog deaths across affected areas.
“Unlike our experience with ASF before, the mortality was massive. In this case, what we are seeing are isolated incidents,” he added. | GPB
