BACOLOD City – At least 22 heads of swine in Negros Occidental died mainly of pneumonia and other illnesses, amid the African swine fever (ASF) scare faced by the country’s hog industry, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) confirmed.
Dr. Ryan Janoya, head of PVO Animal Health and Meat Inspection Services Division, said the swine deaths were reported in Bago City in the south and E.B. Magalona town in the north.
About four heads died due to confirmed pneumonia while some have ailments associated with allergies.
Other hogs, about two to three months old, also suffered from common swine diseases that led to pneumonia.
The swine deaths were reported as the provincial government intensified its campaign against ASF, which has affected some farms in Luzon.
“Upon verification of our district veterinarians, they turned out positive of pneumonia and other common swine diseases like allergy and not of ASF virus,” Janoya said.
With the reported swine deaths and illnesses in Negros Occidental, Janoya cited the need for a more active participation by the public in reporting these incidents.
“Community participation, especially on the farmer-raiser level, is very important in ensuring the safety of our swine industry and that of other livestock and poultry animals,” he said.
Janoya pointed out that necessary interventions can be immediately done through the proper and quick reporting.
He added that since Negros Occidental remains ASF-free, Negrense consumers have nothing to worry about eating pork. (PNA)
On Sept. 11, the provincial government started implementing a 90-day temporary ban on pork products from Luzon, which has confirmed cases of ASF in Luzon, particularly in farms of Rizal and Bulacan. With PNA (/PN)
