CEBU CITY – The death of several hogs in Pilar town, Bohol province was confirmed to be due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
Good thing is the spread of the virus has been contained, said Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Bohol provincial veterinarian.
Lapiz confirmed that some 80 hogs, including piglets, in Purok 6, Barangay San Vicente, Pilar tested positive for ASF.
The infected pigs were within the 100-meter radius index premise, said Lapiz.
Hogs within the quarantine area from 500-radius to one-kilometer radius tested negative of ASF which means the virus has yet to spread, said Lapiz.
Lapiz said the province has intensified its disease monitoring and surveillance to prevent ASF from spreading to other areas.
She added cases of ASF were only detected in Purok 6, San Vicente as other areas in Bohol remain ASF-free.
“We are conducting day-to-day disinfecting and we have put up checkpoints to ensure that hogs that come from the affected area will not be brought to other areas,” said Lapiz.
The province has deployed enough personnel to man checkpoints where foot mops and sprayers are also available.
Lapiz pointed out that “the threat of ASF is real” and advised breeders to strengthen their biosecurity measures.
Backyard breeders were also advised to avail of insurance for their hogs to mitigate the impact should their swine be infected with ASF.
Boholanos were also asked to cooperate to prevent the spread of ASF in the province.
“Bohol has one the most strict and strong border control and yet ASF was still able to enter the province. It means an infected product was able to come in. We really have to cooperate because the threat is real,” said Lapiz.
Live hogs, pork, and pork-related products from Bohol are banned from entering the province of Cebu per an executive order issued by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia.
“We have no problem with that. That’s the policy of Cebu and we respect it,” said Lapiz.