By CESAR JOLITO III

The Ilog municipal government has launched an investigation into the recent hog deaths in several barangays in the town as authorities move to determine whether African swine fever (ASF) or another disease is behind the swine deaths.

Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez said as of June 26, around 30 hogs died in six lowland barangays, prompting the local government to initiate immediate disease surveillance.

Alvarez said tissue and blood samples from the affected animals have been collected and submitted to the provincial government’s laboratory for testing.

The laboratory analysis is expected to determine the cause of the deaths.

While awaiting the test results, the municipal government is preparing preventive measures to protect the local hog industry.

Alvarez said border checkpoints are being planned to closely monitor the entry of live hogs and pork products into the municipality.

The proposed checkpoints aim to prevent the possible spread of infection by ensuring that only healthy animals and properly documented pork products are allowed to enter Ilog.

The mayor also urged backyard and commercial hog raisers to observe strict biosecurity measures and immediately report any unusual illnesses or sudden deaths among their livestock to local authorities./CCJ, WDJ