AMID the prevailing concern on African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country, several pigs were reported to have fallen ill and died in Negros Occidental not because of the virus but due to pneumonia.
Dr. Ryan Janoya, head of Animal Health and Meat Inspection Services Division of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), told SunStar Bacolod on Saturday, September 21, that at least 22 pigs in Bago City and E.B. Magalona town were reportedly affected by pneumonia.
Around four had died due to the disease. Other pigs were downed also due to pneumonia, while some are associated to allergies.
Janoya said these are on top of other hogs, mostly about two to three months old, in other cities and municipalities that also died and suffered from common swine diseases, mainly pneumonia.
"These cases of swine deaths were reported within the height of the issue on ASF, which affected some farms in Luzon," he said.
He added that upon verification of district veterinarians, "it turned positive of pneumonia and other common swine diseases, like allergy, and not of ASF virus."
On September 11, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental started implementing a 90-day temporary ban on pork products, including those processed and manufactured, from Luzon.
The ban was implemented days after the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed positive cases of ASF in Luzon, particularly in farms of Rizal and Bulacan.
It was approved by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson upon the recommendation of the Provincial Task Force on ASF, which he chairs.
This is to ensure the safety of the province's P6 billion worth of swine industry, one of the biggest in the country.
The PVO, which is part of the task force, is strictly monitoring the entry of pork products in the province.
Janoya reiterated that Negros Occidental remains ASF-free, thus the public has nothing to worry since the disease does not pose any threat to humans.
He also cited the importance of more active participation of the public especially in reporting these incidents.
"Community participation, especially on the farmer-raiser level, is very important in ensuring the safety of our swine industry and that of other livestock and poultry animals," he said, adding that necessary interventions can be done immediately through proper and quick reporting.