Saturday, July 28, 2007 Pig fever poses big threat in Pampanga By Joel P. Mapiles
CANDABA -- Thousands of pigs in most of the towns in Pampanga and from nearby Bulacan province are suspected to be afflicted with hog cholera, a highly contagious viral disease affecting swine, reports said.
Benjie Santos, an animal science professional and technician of a feedmill company in the province, disclosed that pig fever poses a big threat in Candaba, Floridablanca, Porac, Sta. Ana, among other towns.
Santos said while hog cholera does not cause food-borne illnesses in people, he still advises consumers not to take risks in eating pork contaminated with the viral disease.
According to reports, dead pigs from farms are sold as low as P500 per piece, while their meats are sold at a regular price of P140 per kilo in the market. With this, Santos warned consumers to be choosy when buying pork meat.
There have been reports that pig dealers from Bulacan were caught in checkpoints in Barangay Pulong Palazan while transporting live and dead meats believed infected with swine flu.
In view of this, Candaba local officials instructed the police and barangay officials to tightly watch the transport of hogs in and out of their respective barangays.
The Candaba Municipal Agriculture Office advised swine owners who suspect their pigs might have hog cholera to immediately contact their local veterinarian or the nearest animal health official. (Joel P. Mapiles)
