Dead pigs were found on June 19 on the roadside at Barangay Santa Maria, Gattaran town, Cagayan province on June 19. | PHOTO: Cagayan Provincial Information Office
TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Cagayan provincial veterinary office is investigating the dumping of 18 dead pigs on the roadside of Barangay Santa Maria in Gattaran town, an official said Tuesday, June 21.
But Dr. Myka Ponce, provincial veterinarian II, immediately dismissed suspicions that the hogs showed African swine fever (ASF) symptoms, adding that they had taken samples for more laboratory tests.
The dead pigs were dumped on the roadside in Zone 7, Santa Maria, on June 19 and could pose health risks to villagers living nearby, Ponce said in a statement.
The provincial government said they distributed disinfectants to the villagers and residents of neighboring barangays. The dead pigs were immediately buried in a lot located far from residential areas.
Gattaran has no registered commercial hog raisers, except for backyard farmers who maintain a limited number of pigs.
The hogs might have come from other towns, officials said.
Only Lasam town has registered an ASF case in the province in May this year.