As ASF spreads in Negros Occidental
MANILA, Philippines — Hog deaths in Antique have continued to increase amid a suspected outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.
In a radio interview, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said more than 1,000 hogs had been culled in Antique to prevent the spread of swine diseases.
“We are puzzled why most of those deaths occurred among piglets. According to our provincial veterinary office, previously piglets were not affected by ASF,” Cadiao said.
She said the cause of swine deaths has yet to be determined.
“We are just presuming that it is due to ASF... We sent blood samples to Iloilo... The results have yet to arrive,” Cadiao said.
She said the highest number of hog deaths was recorded in Hamtic town.
“Here in Panay... only Antique was ASF-free for the past month. Unfortunately, we cannot prevent the spread so we are implementing strict border control. In the meantime, we prohibit traders from selling pork in local markets, including processed meat. Consumers do not buy even tocino,” Cadiao said.
In Negros Occidental, new ASF cases and hog deaths were reported in Hinigaran town.
Mayor Nadie Arceo said two pigs in Barangay Cambaog tested positive for ASF.
Arceo said the area was cordoned off to prevent the transport of hogs outside the barangay.
He said the municipal government would indemnify affected hog raisers with P500 per piglet and P1,000 per adult swine.
Meanwhile, daily hog deaths in Negros Occidental have dropped from 140 to 150 from a peak of more than 400.
As of Tuesday, swine deaths in the province were recorded at 13,718.
Losses to the swine industry were estimated at P154.3 million, with 2,691 hog raisers in 140 barangays affected.
National African swine fever Prevention and Control Program cluster coordinator Dr. Janice Garcia said most of the new ASF cases in the country are confined in the Visayas.
Garcia blamed the spread of ASF to the failure of affected hog raisers to immediately report outbreaks.
The latest ASF cases in the Visayas had been detected in the cities of Bacolod and Victorias and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental as well as Dauin and Sibulan in Negros Oriental.
As of June 1, the Bureau of Animal Industry said ASF outbreaks were reported in eight towns in Aklan and two towns each in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
“We are conducting surveillance. In this way, we can determine the areas where there is a spread of the virus and at the same time immediately contain the spread of ASF,” Garcia said.
Hot meat
Meanwhile, in Tarlac City, 40 kilos of suspected ”hot meat” were confiscated at a market on Tuesday.
The seized items were disposed in a pit at the city’s slaughterhouse.
Mayor Cristy Angeles issued a notice of violation to vendors found selling suspected “double dead” meat to the public.
She said erring vendors face charges for violating the Meat Inspection Code. – Ric Sapnu