Pangasinan awaiting FMD-free declaration

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — This premier province, which produces 60 percent of the swine population in the Ilocos region, has been free from the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for a year now.

Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian, shared this good news, saying that his office is just awaiting the official declaration of the National FMD Task Force of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

The FMD-free "clearance" is expected to be issued either by the end of this month or the first week of October.

"This will be the first time that the province will get the FMD-free declaration," Perez said.

Since September last year, Perez said there have been no reported cases of FMD, which affects cloven-footed animals, in the province.

FMD, a highly contagious disease, is characterized by fever, loss of appetite and weight, and blisters on the mucous membranes and also in the mouth, feet and udder.

Perez said the FMD-free declaration is based on the negative test results of serum samples and the certifications of local officials.

Members of the National FMD Task Force also periodically visit Pangasinan to evaluate livestock markets and conduct surprise inspections, he said.

Perez cited the strong support of the provincial government under Gov. Victor Agbayani in their programs like massive vaccination of hogs and other cloven-footed animals, quarantine, information and educational campaign, and surveillance and monitoring.

He said they also put up 24-hour checkpoints in the province’s entry and exit points jointly manned by personnel of the provincial veterinarian’s office and the National FMD Task Force.

Pangasinan was seriously affected by FMD outbreaks in 1995 and 1996, nearly causing the collapse of the local hog industry. — Eva Visperas