THE Bacolod City Veterinary Office disinfects identified Ground Zeros or backyard swine areas hit by African Swine Fever (ASF). (CVO)
BACOLOD CITY – The City Veterinary Office (CVO) confirmed on Friday, July 24, that African Swine Fever (ASF) hit two hog raisers in Barangays Granada and Bata in this highly-urbanized city.
Two samples were collected in Barangay Bata and both tested positive in the initial and confirmatory laboratory tests, according to the CVO.
Four barangays here have recorded confirmed ASF cases – Alijis, Taculing, Granada, and Bata.
The CVO has been conducting disinfection activities in identified Ground Zeros or backyard swine areas where ASF-positive animals were housed.
These include sanitation and biosecurity procedures to help eliminate potential sources of contamination and protect the local swine population.
The disinfection operation is part of the office's immediate containment and control measures aimed at reducing the risk of further virus transmission within the affected area and neighboring communities.
The CVO urged all hog raisers in the affected barangays to heighten their biosecurity measures and immediately report any unusual illness or mortality among swine.
They also sought the cooperation of farmers, barangay officials, and stakeholders in preventing the further spread of ASF, stressing that cooperation is vital in safeguarding the local swine industry.
“By remaining vigilant and adhering to established biosecurity protocols, we can collectively minimize the impact of ASF, protect the livelihoods of our hog raisers, and ensure the continued stability and sustainability of the city’s livestock sector,” the CVO said in a statement.
The city’s ASF Task Force has been reactivated to strengthen vigilance against the disease, and the city has prohibited the entry of all live pigs, pork, pork products, from areas with confirmed ASF cases.