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900 pigs culled in Bulacan town due to ASF

By Manny Balbin

February 9, 2020, 4:08 pm

<p><strong>ASF-INFECTED PIGS</strong>. Some 900 pigs were culled Saturday (February 8, 2020) in a farm in Norzagaray, Bulacan after being found positive of African swine fever (ASF). The ASF-infected pigs were found at the Eco Agri Farm owned by a certain Edwin Ong located in Barangay FVR, Norzagaray. <em>(Photo courtesy of the MENRO-Norzagaray)</em></p>

ASF-INFECTED PIGS. Some 900 pigs were culled Saturday (February 8, 2020) in a farm in Norzagaray, Bulacan after being found positive of African swine fever (ASF). The ASF-infected pigs were found at the Eco Agri Farm owned by a certain Edwin Ong located in Barangay FVR, Norzagaray. (Photo courtesy of the MENRO-Norzagaray)

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Some 900 pigs were culled Saturday in a farm in Norzagaray this province after being tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

The ASF-infected pigs were owned by a certain Edwin Ong of the Eco Agri Farm located in Barangay FVR, Norzagaray. The hogs were also buried at the farm’s compound.

Agapito Pascual, municipal agriculturist of the local government of Norzagaray, said the pigs were electrocuted to death before being buried.

“The way of the pigs’ depopulation underwent proper protocols and procedures wherein after the culling was performed, the whole farm was disinfected to control the virus,” Pascual said.

It was learned that four more backyard raisers covered in the one-kilometer radius will undergo a series of tests as part of the protocol.

Dennis Arceo, a staff of the Norzaragay Municipal Office, said Mayor Fred Germar immediately sent a group to inspect the pigs in the area after it was reported to them.

After the symptoms became apparent to the pigs, the farm personnel immediately reported the matter to the Municipal Agriculture Office to prevent the spreading of the virus.

Arceo said the local government of Norzagaray and the provincial government of Bulacan are now conducting preventive measures in the areas.

“We are also continuously monitoring other farms and backyard raisers that are likely to be affected by the ASF,” Pascual said, as he assured they are willing to provide assistance to the “best of their ability” for affected hog raisers. (PNA)

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