By CESAR JOLITO III

Hog raisers in Negros Occidental are being urged to tighten biosecurity measures following reports of increasing hog deaths across several local government units in the southern part of the province.

The Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental (AHRANO) has raised concern over the situation after monitoring deaths of pigs in Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City and Ilog town, with additional cases also reported in Bago City and the municipalities of Pulupandan and Valladolid.

AHRANO President Ric Lauron said affected hogs reportedly showed symptoms, such as fever and loss of appetite before eventually dying.

“Most of the affected pigs stopped eating until they died,” Lauron said, noting that the situation has been closely monitored by the group.

He emphasized that the pattern has raised alarm among local raisers, prompting calls for immediate preventive action.

Some hog raisers have expressed suspicion that the deaths may be linked to African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine populations.

However, Lauron clarified that there is still no official confirmation from authorities regarding the cause of death.

He stressed that both the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Occidental have yet to validate whether ASF is involved in the reported cases.

In the meantime, AHRANO is urging all hog raisers to strengthen farm sanitation practices, restrict farm access and closely monitor the health conditions of their animals, especially amid unpredictable weather conditions that may further stress livestock.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation as investigations into the cause of the hog deaths remain ongoing./CCJ, WDJ