The Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) in Negros Oriental will turn over 500 liters of disinfectant to the provincial government this week to help contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF), an official said Wednesday, July 8.
DA-PATCO provincial chief Bernard Limbaga said the turnover will take place once Governor Manuel Sagarbarria gives the go-signal for the supplies to be handed over to the Provincial Task Force on ASF, which the governor chairs.
“We have received 100 containers of five liters each of disinfectant from our Negros Island Region office for distribution to ASF-affected areas in Negros Oriental,” Limbaga said.
He said the 500 liters of disinfectant can produce enough solution for about 6,000 knapsack sprayers, allowing wider coverage of disinfection operations.
The Provincial Task Force on ASF will determine the allocation of the disinfectant based on recommendations from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), the agency leading surveillance and monitoring of the disease.
During a recent task force meeting, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Melody Vilan confirmed ASF-positive cases in La Libertad town following reported hog deaths.
Suspected ASF cases are also being investigated in Sibulan, San Jose, and Amlan, where hog mortalities have likewise been reported.
Vilan said blood samples from hogs in the affected areas will be tested to determine the presence of the ASF virus.
Limbaga added that the disinfectant will also serve as buffer stock should additional areas under investigation confirm ASF infections or those tested yield negative results.*PNA
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