LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial veterinary office here is distributing disinfectant solutions to hog raisers to prevent the possible spread of the African swine fever (ASF).
In an interview Wednesday, Dr. Mirriam Tiongan, chief provincial veterinarian, said they have been making the solution and distributing the same to hog raisers in Bahong, Wangal, Lubas, Pico, Puguis and Bineng and two villages in Itogon town- Ucab and Gumatdang.
"It's the only thing we can do right now, disinfect,” she said as she reported that about a hundred pigs have died due to ASF in the past three weeks.
She said they also advised the hog raisers to maintain cleanliness, always have foot batch on the entrances of the pig pens.
She said she had already recommended that the provincial government assists the hog raisers through financial assistance or livelihood, especially considering the situation brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Tiongan said the fast spread of the ASF could be attributed to the free distribution of pork meat to neighbors and relatives in other villages, swill feeding, and the contained movement of people prompting flea markets to pop up in villages.
"It is impossible to do meat inspection sold by everybody. At the central market, it is possible but we don’t know those being sold in flea markets," she said.
She said Benguet experienced a lull in ASF cases after it broke out sometime in January and February which were readily contained following protocols like culling and de-population.
“There were no cases in March and April and we were happy but not confident,” she said.
Meanwhile, Governor Melchor Diclas also expressed concern over the increasing cases of ASF in the province.
Benguet has been implementing strict monitoring in the entry of meat products since last year and even prior to the order placing the whole of Luzon under enhanced community quarantine.
Diclas also said that hog raisers might have relaxed their compliance with the safety protocols due to the situation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Hopefully we can immediately contain the problem so that it will not spread," he said. (PNA)
