LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial veterinary office reported that there are no active African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in the province as of this month.
Provincial Veterinarian Purita Lesing said that the last reported ASF cases in the province was on November 10, 2023 which is from Dalupirip, Itogon, and Ambuklao, Bokod. This positive trend is attributed to the province’s thorough surveillance, extensive testing, and vigilant monitoring efforts.
She claimed that the positive development on ASF could be attributed to the province’s thorough surveillance, extensive testing, and vigilant monitoring efforts.
The provincial veterinarian pointed out that this was attributed to the province’s thorough surveillance, extensive testing, and vigilant monitoring efforts.
According to her, proactive measures are being implemented by the provincial government to prevent the further spread of the animal virus where infected animals are culled and burned and massive testing is done on the hogs within the 1-kilometer radius.
Lesing shared the ongoing measures being enforced to prevent the further spread of the virus to avoid possible serious repercussions to the local livestock industry in the future.
“First is pinapatay natin, kina-cull tsaka binuburn and then 1-kilometer radius nag tetest po tayo sa mga vicinity area na namatay na baboy dahil sa ASF,” she stressed.
Reports are then submitted to the Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR). Sentinel animals are deployed in the affected area to check for remaining ASF after disinfection.
“After mga 40 days tine test namin yung sentinel animals na inilagay natin sa mga kulungan ng nagpostive kung nag negative sila ibig sabihin wala ng virus kapag naman may recurrence/ positive na sentinel animals inuulit natin yung procedure so nag didisinfect ulit tayo then after 30 days of disinfection naglalagay ulit tayo ng sentinel animals.” she said.
The province initiated an Information Education Campaign in all barangays and regularly posted updates on its Facebook page as part of the information education campaign to prevent the further spread of the deadly virus that will surely impact the local hog industry.
A total of 140 Bio-Security Officers from the province’s barangays are actively disseminating information, reporting active cases, and following the disinfection protocol. This includes distributing disinfectants to piggery owners during restocking.
Continuous monitoring is in place, with immediate testing of reported cases, particularly concerning pigs. In quarantine animal stations, strict checks ensure all imported animals have the necessary documents including veterinary health certificates, shipping permits, and proof of being ASF-free from the municipality.
While last year, the province received sentinel animals, the plan for this year remains uncertain. If unavailable, the focus will be on continuing disinfection procedures to maintain a proactive approach to ASF prevention. By Jackielyn Reyes.
