Veterinary authorities in Negros Oriental are stepping up their surveillance and monitoring of hogs in the province following recent deaths in Dauin town.

There are no confirmed African swine fever (ASF) cases yet in Negros Oriental as of posting time.

“The cause of death of the pigs in Dauin has yet to be determined,” Marlon Mapula, focal person of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said in an interview yesterday.

Mapula told the Philippine News Agency that the PVO, Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) and some veterinarians met in the city to discuss measures to prevent the possible entry and spread of ASF.

A team of technicians proceeded to Dauin’s Barangay Maayong Tubig over the weekend to inspect at least three houses whose pigs died in separate incidents last week, Mapula said.

Records showed an aggregate of 10 sows, two boars, and 21 piglets died of a still unknown disease in the three houses.

The deceased pigs were buried to ensure the safety of other animals in the area.

On Friday, May 12, the PVO collected blood samples from live pigs in the village and sent to the BAI’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Reference Laboratory for ASF testing.

Dr. Alfonso Tundag, BAI’s chief veterinary officer, could not yet diagnose the cause of death, Mapula said.

They learned that some of the pigs were fed with “lamaw” or swill or waste food, he added.

Residents have been instructed to undertake disinfection and keep a close eye on their pigs for tell-tale signs of sickness, although no new deaths were reported this week.

Mapula said they are hoping to receive the laboratory results from the BAI diagnostic laboratory anytime this week. (PNA)