BACOLOD City – Cases of African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera in Negros Occidental are now under control, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).
Dr. Placeda Lemana, PVO head, yesterday emphasized that while they can’t yet declare the province entirely free from ASF and hog cholera, significant progress has been made.
Hog cholera is considered an endemic disease while ASF is influenced by environmental factors.
To prevent the reintroduction of ASF and hog cholera, the provincial government maintains a ban on the entry of live pigs and pork products from other areas.
Lemana also expressed optimism that pork prices may revert to previous levels in the third or fourth quarter of this year as production gradually recovers from the impact of hog cholera and ASF outbreaks.
Pork prices in the province recently surged to as high as P360 per kilo.
Prices of live pigs in auction markets have also decreased from the previous P205 to P180 per kilo.
Despite the challenges, the PVO head assured the public of an ample supply of pork and dressed chicken in the province.
Negros Occidental also continues to lead Western Visayas as a major pork supplier and ranks second in the entire country, following Batangas.
Additionally, Lemana revealed that the official swine industry sentineling will commence this year.
Some hog raisers have already initiated self-sentineling in the last quarter of 2023, with no reported hog deaths during the period.
The efforts made are integral to maintaining the health and stability of the swine industry in Negros Occidental, the PVO added.
Negros Occidental, which has a P6-billion swine industry, recorded almost 18,000 hog mortalities in some 20 local government units since April 2023 due to various diseases, such as ASF and hog cholera. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
