ILOILO – In response to the reemergence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Negros Oriental and parts of Batangas, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here is ramping up efforts to prevent a similar outbreak in Iloilo.
Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the PVO, is meeting with technicians from 43 municipalities, including Passi City, today to discuss the current situation and gather updates, especially concerning backyard hog raisers.
He emphasized the ongoing surveillance efforts by the PVO and technicians from local government units (LGUs) to determine any resurgence of ASF, and urged hog raisers to fortify their implemented farm biosecurity measures.
Biosecurity protocols include the following:
* establishing perimeter fencing
* maintaining footbaths and washing areas
* enforcing clothing and footwear changes before farm entry
* prohibiting swill feeding
* disallowing feed bags inside the farm
* conducting regular cleaning and disinfection, and
* ensuring proper waste disposal
“Strengthening farm biosecurity measures is essential, though many of our hog raisers have already been practicing them,” Tabuada told Panay News.
He also highlighted the critical need for maintaining high biosecurity levels if hog raisers resume operations, as the ASF virus can survive up to 1,000 days in frozen products.
“Once they decide to resume, they must implement biosecurity level 1 on their farms, as the threat of ASF is persistent with the virus’s ability to live long in frozen conditions,” Tabuada said.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reassured that the province’s protocols against ASF remain stringent, including a continued ban on frozen and pork products from ASF-affected areas.
“Our stance remains unchanged; the ban is still in effect,” said Defensor.
The governor noted a gradual recovery in the province’s swine inventory as backyard hog raisers begin to reinvest in swine production.
Additionally, the provincial government has allocated funds totalling P4,284,000 for a sentineling program in six municipalities designated as “pink zones”, aimed at restarting pig farming activities.
These municipalities include Barotac Viejo (P324,000), New Lucena (P528,000), Dingle (P432,000), Banate (P2,268,000), Santa Barbara (P432,000), and San Miguel (P300,000), benefiting a total of 357 farmers.
According to PVO data, 28 municipalities in the province have been affected by ASF, with 17 now classified in the pink zone and 11 remaining in the red zone./PN
