By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The entry of hogs from neighboring Negros Oriental is now banned following the reported cases of African swine fever (ASF) in Dauin town, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) affirmed yesterday.

PVO officer-in-charge Dr. Placeda Lemana said Negros Occidental is now on a heightened alert status due to ASF, and all travelers are now being monitored to prevent the entry of pork products coming from outside the province.

Based on protocols set by the provincial government against ASF, hogs, including those within the 500-meter radius of the area with confirmed cases, must be culled to control the spread of disease.

Lemana said so far Negros Occidental still remains ASF free.

Meanwhile, following the issuance of an executive order from Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to prevent the spread of hog cholera, several villages in the province have set up their respective border control points to limit the movement of hogs.

In Murcia town’s Barangay Blumentritt, village officials have already blocked several hog shipments bound for Bacolod City.

On May 17, 17 vehicles were reportedly apprehended due to lack of pertinent documents for shipping live hogs and other livestock.

Data from the PVO shows that as of May 19, the number of hog deaths in the province is now at 4,308.

However, Lemana said the hog deaths also include those culled for consumption, emergency sale, or due to heat stroke and other hog-related diseases such as pneumonia.

She added that San Enrique town still has the highest hog mortality at 1,800, followed by Bago City with 838./DGB, WDJ