MALAYBALAY CITY – The African swine fever has reached other provinces in northern Mindanao and threatening the pig industry.
Bukidnon Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Nancy Diez has urged pig raisers to better sell their animals before the virus reaches the city. “If your pig is ready for sale, you better dispose of it now or lose it soon,” he said.
Diez advice came after reports confirmed the presence of the ASF in the provinces. He said that while geographic entries to Bukidnon have been guarded strictly by the government, there is no concrete assurance that the ASF can be prevented from slipping in through its porous borders. Even so, the provincial government has mobilized ASF watch units and volunteers in the villages to monitor for ASF infections.
Diez told swine raisers whose pigs are still unmarketable to have it covered by an insurance agency of the government.
The timely advice and warning of the provincial veterinary office came as this deadly malady of the swine now looms foreboding over the thousand raisers here. They are mostly small-time and obviously 'cannot afford to lose' farmers.
The latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Bukidnon has 610,599 hogs, the highest recorded inventory of swine in Northern Mindanao. The province also posted the biggest increase in swine inventory by 5.6 percent. Other provinces which posted increases in inventory next to Bukidnon are Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, the ASF virus is transmitted by direct contact, ingestion of garbage or swill feeds containing unprocessed infected pig meat or pig meat products, ticks and biting flies, and contaminated premises, vehicles, equipment and clothing.
While not a human health threat, the ASF is capable of annihilating the entire swine industry. As of yet, no vaccine or treatment exists to combat the virus. (RLRB)
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