8 pig blood samples in QC positive for ASF – DA confirmatory test
MANILA, Philippines – The first eight pig blood samples taken from two barangays in Quezon City ) were found positive for African Swine Fever in confirmatory tests conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
The QC local government said the official confirmatory test results were handed over by DA and BAI officials to Mayor Joy Belmonte Thursday afternoon.
A total of 45 blood samples from hogs in Barangay Bagong Silangan and Payatas were previously submitted to BAI.
The test results from the remaining pigs have yet to be released.
With the presence of ASF in QC confirmed, Belmonte is set to meet with hog raisers on Friday to discuss the immediate culling of pigs in the two affected barangays.
Barangay Payatas Chairman Manny Guarin, who also raises around 300 pigs himself, will help implement the culling order as part of protocol, QC government said.
P10-M aid
Meanwhile, a P10-million budget for financial assistance will be allotted for ASF-affected areas in city, Belmonte said.
She stressed that all pigs in the affected barangays must be surrendered for culling to prevent the spread of ASF.
“Kaya importante na sa dalawang barangay ma-contain na ang sakit dahil kung kumalat pa sa ibang lugar, baka kulangin na ang ating pondo,” Belmonte said in a statement.
Earlier, Belmonte announced that 11 dead pigs from Barangay Bagong Silangan tested by the city’s veterinary office were also found positive for ASF.
READ: 11 dead pigs found in QC tested positive for ASF
This led to the culling of at least 50 pigs in to prevent the spread of the disease, which, Belmonte said, is standard protocol during an animal disease outbreak.
READ: Pigs culled in QC to prevent spread of African swine fever
READ: QC gives financial assistance to hog raisers affected by ASF
Lechon boodle fight
Meanwhile, to assure the public that lechon or roasted pigs sold in La Loma are safe for human consumption and ASF-free, Belmonte and other QC officials will hold a “lechon boodle fight” on Friday.
Belmonte said this initiative will help address the sharp decline in lechon sales in La Loma.
“Mula sampung lechon bawat araw, dalawang lechon na lang ang nabebenta kaya gusto ko silang tulungan,” she said.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs but it is not a risk to human health. /gsg
