Help prevent spread of ASF
The Negros Oriental town of Valencia has called on its residents to purchase pork and other by-products locally to help prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
This came after the ASF occurrence reported in Valencia town’s barangay West Balabag last week was stamped out with immediate containment measures.
In a statement Tuesday, the Provincial Veterinary Office on Tuesday appealed to Valencianons to “refrain from buying pork and by-products from other local government units, especially those not compliant with national guidelines” relative to ASF.
During the Aug. 7 and 8 depopulation activities, 182 hogs were culled and buried, while disinfection in affected premises continues.
The 37 farmers whose hogs were depopulated will receive indemnification from the local and national governments.
The Valencia LGU is also set to issue a municipal executive order with guidelines for local swine raisers relative to the movement of their animals to the slaughterhouse, and transfer to other localities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture is conducting tests on blood samples of hogs in Negros Oriental towns and cities following the outbreak of ASF in Valencia recently.
Alejandro Rafal, head of the DA-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office told the media on Monday his office received reports of supposed ASF cases.
“Confirmatory tests have to be done to ascertain if there is ASF resurgence outside of Valencia,” Rafal said.
As of Aug. 9, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported that no new ASF cases in Valencia were reported following culling operations of nearly 200 hogs in barangay West Balabag.
Rafal is pushing for strengthened bio-security measures in the towns and cities to prevent the further spread of ASF.
He blamed the resurgence of cases on the lack of monitoring and regular blood sample testing of hogs.
The movement of hogs and pork from one area to another without certification from LGUs is another factor for the spread of ASF, even as he urged raisers to stop the practice of swill feeding. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
