ASF detected in another Negros Oriental town

As hog cholera deaths risein Negros Occ

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — African swine fever (ASF) has spread in another town in Negros Oriental.

Sibulan Mayor Jose Abiera issued an executive order on Thursday banning the entry and exit of hogs, including fresh and frozen pork products, and suspending swine-related activities following the detection of the virus in the town.

Culling of pigs was ordered in hog farms in Purok Apitong in Barangay Tubtubon, the western part of Barangay Molocboloc, southern portion of Barangay Magatas and within the 500-meter radius to prevent the spread of the virus.

Abiera said laboratory examination by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that swine deaths in Purok Apitong were due to ASF.

The first ASF case in Negros Oriental was detected in Dauin town on Saturday last week. The BAI confirmed that hog deaths were due to ASF.

Meanwhile, swine deaths in Negros Occidental due to hog cholera and other diseases rose to 6,000 as of Thursday.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said 5.5 percent of the swine population in the province had been affected by hog cholera.

Damage to the hog industry was pegged at P71.3 million, with 2,220 hog raisers in 110 barangays affected.

Provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO) acting head Maria Gerla Dario said the offices of the provincial administrator, agriculturist and veterinarian are eyeing the grant of financial assistance of P2,000 to P5,000 to affected hog raisers and caretakers.

Dario said the PSWDO may ask for additional aid from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under its convergence program.

The municipality of San Enrique logged the highest number of hog deaths at 2,044.

The provincial veterinary office said 75.9 percent of the total swine population in San Enrique died of hog cholera.

Aside from San Enrique, hogs in the towns of Manapla, EB Magalona, Murcia, Valladolid, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, Hinigaran and Binalbagan as well as in the cities of Cadiz, Silay, Bago, La Carlota and Talisay were affected by hog cholera and other swine diseases.

Negros Occidental remains free of ASF, according to the Department of Agriculture.