CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Bohol is investigating the deaths of several pigs in a barangay in the municipality of Pilar if it is caused by African Swine Fever (ASF).
Gov. Aris Aumentado said blood samples have been sent to the regional office of the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas here to confirm if the barangay is already affected by ASF.
Aumentado said at least 12 pigs in the barangay died but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
“We are saddened by this incident but our provincial veterinarian led by Dr. Bing Lapiz is already there to check on it and make sure that the area has been cordoned,” Aumentado said in a press briefing on Tuesday, August 1.
While waiting for the result of the test, police and soldiers have been deployed to the barangay.
“Police and soldiers were deployed to secure the area as a safety net and prevent hogs coming from that barangay to get out. At least if it is confirmed that these are ASF cases, the virus is contained within the area,” said Aumentado.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian initially planned to take blood samples from hogs located within the 100-meter radius from the area where some pigs died.
“We moved it back to a 500-meter radius. So if found out that some pigs within the 500-meter radius are not sick, it will indicate that the virus has not spread to other areas yet,” said Aumentado.
Aumentado said the pigs that died were owned by backyard breeders.
The governor assured that the province will give necessary assistance to the affected breeders as he assured that affected farmers will be compensated.
“We will prepare necessary assistance because this is their livelihood. Once we are affected by ASF, it will be hard to control. We will give them alternative livelihood,” said Aumentado.
The governor said the province has actually implemented strict measures to prevent the entry of ASF.
The province has banned the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork-related products from ASF-affected areas.
Arriving passengers in ports and terminals are prohibited from bringing pork and pork-related products into Tagbilaran. Even dishes with pork are being confiscated.
“That’s why the deaths of pigs in Pilar left us baffled because if it's ASF, why in a far-flung area. Why not in Tagbilaran or places near ports,” said Aumentado.