DUMAGUETE CITY – Authorities are investigating the deaths of about 30 hogs in Amlan, Negros Oriental, even as the provincial government intensifies measures to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) into the province.

Amlan Mayor Manjoe Sycip said Monday it is premature to conclude the hog deaths were caused by ASF, noting that the municipal government is still gathering information and conducting surveillance.

"Our Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) is conducting surveillance and monitoring in areas where the pig deaths were reported," Sycip told the Philippine News Agency. "Based on our initial reports, the symptoms vary and are not consistent with those usually associated with ASF."

As a precaution, the mayor ordered the disinfection of affected areas and temporarily prohibited the transport of live hogs and pork products from Amlan to other parts of Negros Oriental.

The move follows an executive order by Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria banning the entry of live hogs, pork, pork by-products, and frozen pork products from ASF-affected areas into Negros Oriental. The governor also directed law enforcement agencies to tighten border controls.

Sycip expressed concern that reports linking the hog deaths to ASF have prompted some backyard raisers to slaughter and sell their pigs at significantly reduced prices to avoid possible losses should an outbreak be confirmed.

Pork prices in Amlan have dropped to between P150 and P200 per kilogram, compared with prevailing market prices in Dumaguete City, which range from P320 to P400 per kilogram.

The mayor also encouraged livestock owners to register their pigs and other farm animals for insurance coverage to ensure compensation in the event of a disease outbreak.

Anthony Maginsay, a broadcast journalist here, said he lost four pigs recently, all with different symptoms. They were buried immediately near his home in remote Barangay Silab.

Joey Derrick Luzon, livestock coordinator and meat inspector of the Municipal Agriculture Office, said around 30 hogs have died over the past two weeks from still undetermined causes.

The affected animals exhibited varying symptoms, including fever, diarrhea, and, in one case, miscarriage in a breeding sow, making it difficult to immediately determine the cause of death.

Luzon said the Provincial Veterinary Office, headed by Dr. Melody Vilan, will meet with municipal officials to formulate response measures, determine the cause of the deaths, and strengthen efforts against a possible ASF outbreak. A joint surveillance team will also collect blood samples from hogs in affected areas. (PNA)