DA set to launch program to weed out hog cholera

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a P500-million 10-year program to eliminate hog cholera in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor said the program, to be launched next year, is intended to curb huge losses brought about by the fatal disease that plagues swine farms.

Last year, opportunity losses resulting from the cholera infestation in hog farms nationwide totaled P1.76 billion.

Phase I of the program to eradicate hog cholera will involve the mass vaccination of the country’s hog population which is expected to be completed in five years. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will also expand the protected zones or cholera-free areas where transport of hogs from other provinces will be prohibited.

Phase II on the other hand, will be the monitoring and evaluation phase. This requires follow-up and mopping-up operations and the subsequent application by the government to the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) to recognize the Philippines as a hog-cholera-free country.

Montemayor said the second phase will also involve the upgrading of BAI facilities and strengthening its capacity to produce hog cholera vaccines locally, this will drastically reduce imports of vaccines.

Hog cholera or classical swine fever is classified by OIE or the world animal health body as a List A disease, which means an outbreak could seriously hurt the local swine industry.

Once stricken and there are no vaccines immediately available in the areas affected, death could come in about 48 hours.

The problem has gotten worse, last year about 880,000 pigs died of the disease. The DA and BAI created a National Hog Cholera Committee that will create comprehensive measures to eliminate the disease. Its members include the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners, the Philippine Veterinary Drug Association and livestock growers.