BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Negros Occidental has denied any case of African swine fever, saying hog cholera was behind the culling of several pigs in EB Magalona and other towns during the past several weeks.
Citing laboratory findings, provincial veterinarian Placeda Lemana said the hogs were suffering from hog cholera, which was triggered by extreme heat.
Lemana said ASF and hog cholera cases manifest similar symptoms.
She said the provincial veterinary office had to cordon off areas affected by the hog cholera to prevent the spread of the virus.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged all municipal mayors in the province to strengthen their biosecurity measures against transboundary animal diseases.
In a letter dated April 27, Lacson ordered the mayors to mobilize their veterinary or agriculture offices and establish quarantine checkpoints to ensure effective disease monitoring and surveillance activities.