Free vaccines distributed in Cebu to fight hog cholera

CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu has started distributing hog cholera vaccines to backyard breeders, as some areas in Cebu have been affected by African Swine Fever (ASF). Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said at least 24 local government units (LGUs) have already received the vaccine. Vincoy said the province has already distributed 65,040 doses of hog cholera vaccine and some LGUs have started their vaccination drive. She added that the province is targeting that by this week, the majority of the 44 towns and six component cities will already have the vaccines. “This is to protect the remaining population and make their immune system more adaptable to other diseases as well,” said Vincoy. Vincoy said the vaccines were given for free and the quantity of doses distributed was based on the swine population of each locality. Cebu is home to a P11-billion hog industry. Gov. Gwen Garcia said the province is prioritizing backyard breeders as commercial farms are enforcing their own biosecurity measures. The province currently has a hog population of 442,422, and 62 percent of the hog industry are backyard farmers.