TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The City Veterinary Office (CVO) reported that a total of 6,977 pigs died due to African Swine Fever (ASF) from September 20, 2019 to July 20, 2020. Based on the Tabuk ASF Depopulation Report, 130 pigs were culled from July 20 to September 9, 2020.
According to Assist. City Veterinarian, Dr. Carmen Wanas, based on the traced path of infection and its extent, 1,199 of the total number of dead pigs were traced from Barangay Bulanao, 912 from Barangay Agbannawag and 753 from Barangay Lacnog, making these areas the top three barangays with the highest number of pig mortality due to ASF.
In handling hog disease outbreak in the city, Wanas explained that upon receipt of report, the CVO conducts investigation and issues Notice of Disease Outbreak for areas confirmed with ASF cases. Information education campaign will be done and vitamins and disinfectants will be distributed to the affected livestock owners.
As part of the approach, the CVO collects blood sample of pigs suspected to be ASF-infected for confirmation. If pigs tested positive, voluntary and selective depopulation is conducted to control the spread of the disease.
To cushion the drastic effect of the ASF outbreak on the livelihood of affected hog raisers, the CLGU, provided them alternative livelihood by distributing 17,000 day old chicks and 340 bags of feeds to around 1,110 hog raisers. The same was done in three (3) batches.
According to CVO, the first unusual hog death was recorded on September 2019 from Barangay Lacnog. A number of native pigs died in the area before a disease outbreak investigation was conducted which led to the conclusion that there was indeed ASF outbreak in Brgy. Lacnog.
Mitigating measures adopted on the impact of animal disease affecting hog population in the City, includes the maintenance and operation of veterinary quarantine checkpoint, conduct of periodic monitoring of meat establishments, conduct of disease investigation and surveillance and regular disinfection of livestock transport carrier entering the slaughter house compound.
At present, only Barangays Dupag, Lanna, Masablang, Cabaruan, Dagupan Centro and Calaccad have no reported pig mortalities. Confirmed ASF positive cases thru laboratory tests came from barangays Bulanao, San Julian, Cabaritan and Tuga, while other barangays registered suspected ASF cases since their livestock manifested signs and symptoms of ASF. By Darwin S. Serion
