ILOILO City – Western Visayas logged its first suspected case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Oton, Iloilo.
Five of the eight swine blood samples from a backyard-turned-semi-commercial hog farm were positive for the ASF virus in a rapid antigen test conducted by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
According to provincial veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada, they submitted another sample on Tuesday, Oct. 11, to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) – Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Manila for confirmatory testing.
The results were expected to be released either yesterday afternoon or today.
“Considering that this is a suspected case, the governor has called a disaster cluster meeting in preparation for a worst-case scenario…We are prepositioning our logistics,” said Tabuada.
He, however, refrained from disclosing the exact location of the suspected ASF case to avoid disruptions the ongoing monitoring/operation being conducting in the field and so as not to stir panic.
As an initial precautionary measure while waiting for the confirmatory test results, the provincial government has imposed border control to limit the movement of swine within the .5-kilometer radius of the “ground zero” or infected farm.
Tabuada said they already established a zoning of areas within a .5-kilometer radius.
“Considering nga ini first (suspected) case sa province, we established border control, limit movement of swine within .5-kilometer radius… We are gathering resources for possible depopulation kon mag-abot ang result,” he added.
Should the test results turn out positive for ASF, Tabuada said, the entire hog farm will be depopulated and disinfected.
Culling of hog heads in the infected area will also include other hog farms or backyard hogs within the radius. They will either be burned or buried.
The suspected case
On Monday afternoon, Oct. 10, the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory informed Tabuada about the results of rapid antigen tests conducted on eight samples.
A team from Tabuada’s office immediately went to the area and did an ocular inspection. Another blood collection for laboratory confirmation in Manila was done.
The suspected case was closely monitored by the owner and the farm’s attending veterinarian since last week.
“Natingala s’ya nga even though sige-sige ang treatment – may antibiotic kag iban pa nga ginahatag sa baboy, wala naga-ayo ang baboy. So he called his attending veterinary. His veterinary, considering nabudlayan mag-diagnose, nag-submit samples sa regional laboratory,” Tabuada said.
Five of the eight samples turned out positive for ASF virus in the said screening test.
Tabuada said several other hogs on the said farm manifested signs and symptoms such as high fever, inappetence and bleeding.
As of this writing, five already died.
The entire farm has a total hog population of 177.
Tabuada said they are coordinating with the Oton Municipal Agriculture Office to determine how many farms or hog heads are within the .5-kilometer radius.
No need to panic
The provincial veterinarian advised the public not to panic while waiting for the confirmatory testing results.
“Kon mag-panic sila basi kon mag-spread pa gid ang virus. We assure the public nga we are containing the virus. And if (the tests) mag-positive, we will do proper measures para indi na maglapta,” said Tabuada.
Western Visayas has a P20-billion hog industry. Since the ASF outbreak in other areas in the Philippines, the region has remained ASF-free.
Tabuada also said it is still safe to eat pork since ASF is not a zoonotic disease and does not infect humans.
Tabuada believes the local hog trade will not be affected since the zoning only involves specific areas or per town.
“Kon infected zone ka, indi ka makapagwa sang baboy mo. Pero may mga areas nga green zone, so still you could ship your hogs sa Manila. But of course, strikto na subong. You need laboratory tests para makapagwa ka sang imo baboy,” he said.
Tabuada also said that even before the first suspected ASF case in Iloilo, the BAI already issued a new guideline – that starting Oct. 15, there is a need for laboratory tests for ASF for swine being ship to Manila.
The provincial government also has an existing ban on the entry of pork products from areas affected by ASF.
All livestock transport carriers coming in and going out of livestock auction markets and livestock holding facilities shall undergo thorough disinfection and must carry an updated disinfection clearance signed by the livestock technician or any authorized personnel, based on the executive order issued by Defensor.
Due to the proximity of the ASF-stricken island provinces, particularly Leyte and Masbate, the provincial government also ordered all coastal villages in the northern portion of the province to intensify their monitoring to ward off the ASF./PN
