By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said yesterday that the province remains free from the threat of African swine fever (ASF).
The PVO made the pronouncement after several hogs in the province’s Victorias City fell ill, although test samples were later found negative for ASF.
PVO acting head Dr. Placeda Lemana said the samples taken in Victorias were part of the province’s ongoing surveillance.
According to Lemana, the hogs in the city were reported to have fever and some rashes, although confirmatory results proved them to be negative for ASF.
She said it is a great advantage for the province to have its own animal laboratory, as they were able to immediately perform tests on the animals, and improve the province’s capability to respond depending on the test results.
The PVO has also taken up all necessary measures to further step up its protection of the local swine industry.
According to Lemana, they have recently conducted an orientation for the local police assigned to BREDCO and Banago ports for close monitoring against the entry of pork and other pork byproducts from outside the province.
She also said that they have already alerted barangay officials and the localities, especially those in coastal areas, to closely monitor their respective areas against entry of pork which could possibly be taken here, through small motor boats, especially because pork prices in Iloilo are now cheaper.
Last month, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. ordered the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas to test all pig breeding sites in the region to control the spread of the ASF.
Marcos said all measures to prevent its spread are already in place, including banning pork products from infested areas.
He said testing all breeding farms for ASF is one of the most effective ways of controlling the spread of infection.
Negros Occidental has a P6 billion swine industry, and the entry of ASF in the province could have a negative impact on the province’s food production./DGB, WDJ