LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — More hogs in Camarines Sur tested positive for African swine fever following continuous monitoring of areas adjacent to Bombon town, where the first confirmed ASF case in the Bicol region was reported.
The Bicol regional quick response team of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said dead hogs due to suspected ASF infection were found in several villages in Magarao town yesterday.
These villages are Sta. Lucia, San Miguel, San Pantaleon, Sta. Rosa and Sto. Tomas, according to DA-Bicol director Rodel Tornilla.
Magarao became the third town in the region to be infected with ASF, next to Calabanga.
“These sites will serve as points of reference for determining the quarantine, surveillance and control zones based on the 1-7-10 protocol for biosafety,” Tornilla said in an official statement.
Tornilla confirmed that the DA has turned over to the Camarines Sur provincial disaster risk reduction and management council the task of containment and control of ASF in the province.
“Proper coordination with local governments concerned and dialogues with affected hog raisers, barangay officials and other stakeholders have been made,” he said.
Local authorities are looking at reports that processed meat products from Bulacan were the possible sources of ASF in Camarines Sur, according to Emily Bordado, spokesperson for the DA-Bicol.
The meat products were reportedly delivered at the Calabanga Grand Terminal
“We are still validating this report. But first, lockdown protocol must be strictly enforced,” Bordado said.
The provincial government has ordered checkpoints set up at the entry and exit points of the province, particularly along roads leading to areas under lockdown.
65 swine deaths
Meanwhile, at least 65 hogs were reported to have died in Kiangan, Ifugao since a lockdown on the entry of live pigs and pork meat products was declared in the province last week.
The pigs reportedly manifested symptoms of ASF, according to municipal agriculturist William Buhong, although results of blood tests conducted on the animals have yet to be released.
Hog raisers in Kiangan were advised to restrict the movement of pigs to prevent ASF from spreading.
Last week, Gov. Jerry Dalipog prohibited the entry of live pigs, fresh and frozen pork in Ifugao as a precaution against the swine disease.
The nearby provinces of Kalinga and Benguet have reported cases of swine deaths due to ASF. – With Raymund Catindig