Negros Occidental remains African Swine Fever (ASF) free despite the death of 2,421 pigs from hog cholera, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Tuesday, May 16.
Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director, Jose Albert Barrogo, also said on Tuesday that there is still a need to protect the provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental, which are the two Western Visayas provinces that remain ASF free.
Lacson issued Executive Order No. 23-19 activating an Incident Command System and creating an Incident Management Team in response to the hog deaths and to set up a management mechanism versus the animal biosecurity threat.
The EO also directed the heightened patrol of all seaports, transportation terminals and borders against illegal shipments into Negros Occidental, inter-border checkpoints and deployment of K-9 units to prevent the spread of swine disease.
Lacson said areas, especially in the third and fourth districts of Negros Occidental, have been red-flagged for pig deaths, mostly attributed to hog cholera.
Bago City had the most number of pig deaths at 755, followed by San Enrique with 726, Valladolid – 373, La Carlota City – 169, Pulupandan – 143, Pontevedra – 113, EB Magalona – 105, Manapla – 35 and Hinigaran 2, a report presented at a meeting on the hog disease situation in Negros Occidental at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Tuesday.
Reported hog deaths in Silay City were not documented, it added.
The meeting presided by Lacson was attended by the mayors of Negros Occidental.
They discussed the implementation of biosecurity measures and inter-LGU movement regulation of animals to protect the P6 million swine industry of the province.
LGUs have put up their own internal borders to prevent the spread of the disease, because not all of their barangays have been hit with hog cholera, Lacson said.
Hog cholera is preventable through vaccines, Lacson said.
Hog cholera or swine fever affects only pigs and has no detrimental effects on other animals or humans.
The governor pointed out that there are no findings that pork cannot be eaten, especially if it has been cooked.
He explained that the culling of pigs in infected areas is being done to prevent the spread of the disease.
Lacson said the price of pork has dropped by P10 a kilo.
Negros Occidental remains AFF free based on the results of 18 samples recently tested by the Bureau of Animal Industry regional office, he said.
He said at their meeting Tuesday they also discussed the possibility that ASF can happen in Negros Occidental that is why the incident management system is needed to focus on the diseases hitting the swine industry.
It was suggested that areas hit should not repopulate for about three months, he said.
Clearing is necessary to make sure it is safe to repopulate again later, Lacson said.*