Two more Capiz towns affected by ASF

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two more towns in the province of Capiz have been contaminated with African Swine Fever (ASF).

Dr. Leonel Abordo, Capiz provincial veterinarian, said ASF has been detected in Poblacion Ilawod, Dumarao and Barangay San Antonio, Pilar based on the results of tests on three blood samples from sick hogs.

Late last month, four hogs from Barangay Canapian in Maayon, Capiz also tested positive for ASF via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6’s Regional Animal Diseases and Diagnostic Laboratory.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form, the disease generally results in high mortality, thus making it a serious threat to the hog industry.

For the Capiz provincial government, DA-6 recommended the following actions:

* implement immediate quarantine and disease control measures in the affected premise(s);

* cull and dispose of all remaining hogs properly in the affected areas;

* conduct disease investigation, especially contact tracing;

* conduct field surveillance and sample collection in all farms and households with susceptible animals within the one-kilometer quarantine zone from the infected area;

* coordinate with concerned local government unit and other agencies/offices for the implementation of other necessary disease control measures in the area of concern as stipulated in Bureau of Animal Industry (BM) guidelines.

Since last year, the provincial government of Capiz has been strengthening its guard against the possible entry of the hog disease as more towns in neighboring Iloilo province were affected by ASF.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) headed by Vice Gov. James “Mitang” Magbanua and the department heads held a consultative meeting and focus group discussion on ASF prevention and control.

Among the planned measures discussed were the establishment of a buffer zone or containment zone if there is already a positive case in a barangay or town, the purchase or rental of a cold storage facility for hog meat, and possible fund allotment for the purchase of uninfected hogs from hog farms in declared ASF areas.