African swine fever (ASF) has now entered Negros Island after several hog blood samples from Negros Oriental’s Dauin town tested positive.

In the Executive Order (EO) No. 2023-19.1 signed by Dauin Mayor Galicano Truita yesterday, based on laboratory samples, the Bureau of Animal Industry-Central Office has confirmed the swine deaths in Barangay Maayongtubig’s Puroks 1 and 2 were caused by ASF virus.

As a result, Truita has ordered an immediate culling of hogs in the said villages, including those within the 500-meter radius, the EO said.

The mayor also imposed a temporary ban on live pigs and pork products and suspended swine slaughtering in the entire municipality.

The EO also stated that ASF has already affected the livelihood of some raisers in the village.

It said that according to current scientific understanding, the hog disease poses no direct threat to humans.

However, considering that pork is a staple part of the diet of many Filipinos, the illness endangers the country’s economy and food security, it added.

Truita has instructed concerned municipal agencies to coordinate with the Negros Oriental Provincial Veterinary Office for EO implementation to avoid further ASF spread in the locality.

Last week, swine deaths in the said village were reported from at least three households, which included 10 sows, two boars and 21 piglets.

Initial investigation showed that some pigs were fed with swill or waste food.

Households have been instructed to disinfect and monitor their pigs for signs of sickness.

Since last week, authorities in Negros Oriental have already stepped up their monitoring of hogs in the province./WDJ