By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed that the reported hog mortalities in La Castellana town last month have been caused by African swine fever (ASF).

Lacson said the Provincial Veterinary Office conducted an investigation into the hog deaths in the town.

The affected pigs were properly disposed to prevent further spread of hog illnesses in the area.

Lacson said it has been awhile that the province recorded new ASF cases.

Swine deaths have also been recorded in Hinoba-an town last month.

He expressed his concern about the potential impact of hog mortalities on the province’s hog repopulation program, especially in La Castellana’s neighboring cities of La Carlota and Bago.

Lacson advised hog raisers not to proceed with repopulating hogs unless they coordinate with the local veterinary offices to ensure compliance with the “new normal” guidelines for pig farming./DGB, WDJ