The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said the recent deaths of 22 pigs in Negros Occidental were attributed to pneumonia and not the African swine fever. PVO Animal Health and Meat Inspection Services Division head, Dr. Ryan Janoya, said the deaths were reported in EB Magalona and Bago City.
Aside from pneumonia, Janoya said some of the deaths were also caused by other common diseases, along with allergies.
The provincial official assured the province remains free of African swine fever and consumers have nothing to worry about.
He added, community participation is very important in order to ensure the safety not just for the hog industry but other livestock as well.
Earlier, PVO head, Dr. Renante Decena, said Negros has a surplus of about 4,000 pigs per month.
“We can supply for local demand of pork and we even have a surplus,” he explained. “That’s why we should not worry that we ban pork and processed pork products from Luzon and other areas.”
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also issued an executive order implementing a 90-day entry ban for pork products coming from Luzon./DGB, WDJ