DA in Negros Occidental conducts testing of pigs for African Swine Fever

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BACOLOD CITY — Blood samples of pigs sent by Negros Occidental have tested negative for African Swine Fever (ASF), according to Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Jose Albert Barrogo on Wednesday, May 17.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), he said, is arranging with Bacolod City and other local governments for the conduct of joint surveillance operations to gather more blood samples from pigs for testing.

“Right now, we are aiming to focus on Bacolod, and have sent a request to Mayor Albee (Benitez) for joint surveillance operations,” Barrogo said.

Under the joint surveillance, a DA team will be sent to work with Bacolod’s accredited barangay bio security officers in the gathering of blood samples.

Barrogo said he is also sending letters to the mayors of Bago City, EB Magalona and Cadiz City for the conduct of similar joint surveillance operations.

Negros Occidental has so far recorded 2,421 pig deaths from hog cholera.

Bago City has had the most number of pig deaths at 755, followed by San Enrique with 726, Valladolid – 373, La Carlota City – 169, Pulupandan – 143, Pontevedra – 113, EB Magalona – 105, Manapla – 35 and Hinigaran 2, a report from the Provincial Veterinary Office showed.

Barrogo said the 27 blood samples sent by Negros Occidental from San Enrique all tested negative for ASF.

Mayor Nicholas Yulo said Bago City has the most reported pig deaths because it is diligent in its reporting and has the biggest hog population in Negros Occidental.

Barangay Sagasa has had the most pig deaths in Bago City, he said.

“They do not allow pigs from barangays where there have been hog cholera deaths to be sold outside their areas,” Yulo said.

He said hog cholera and ASF have similar symptoms. However, ASF is known to kill every hog in an area and usually hits adult pigs, which has not been the case in Bago.

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