THE Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) confirmed on Thursday, February 6, that the African Swine Fever (ASF) has now entered the premises of Davao City.
This comes days after the first-ASF case was confirmed in Davao Region, wherein the “ground zero” of the outbreak is located in Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental.
DA-Davao reported some 1,000 pigs in Davao Occidental were infected.
DA-Davao director Bong Oñate confirmed that samples from dead hogs in villages Lamanan and Dominga in Calinan were ASF-positive, based on the test result conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) head Dr. Cerelyn Pinili said samples from both barangays were sent on January 31 and February 3.
Pinili said three out of six samples sent for testing were confirmed positive for ASF.
She said, based on the initial reports that her office received, approximately 30 hogs, in both barangays, were reportedly dead since January.
However, Pinili said it was only found out now because some cases were not immediately reported to their office.
Oñate, meanwhile, said the city will now be implementing the “1-7-10 Protocol”.
Under the protocol, quarantine checkpoints are set up in areas within a 1-kilometer radius of suspected farms—monitoring the movement of live pigs, pork, and pork products. This includes both barangays, wherein a lockdown will be implemented.
Oñate said they already sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police in implementing the movement control and manning of exit points for possible illegal transport of live suscpetible animals from the infected area.
For now, he said no hogs and its by-products, will not be allowed to enter or exit in the area.
“Pati ang ilang karne. Giluto man nila, or wala, dili kini pwede igawas (This includes meat. Whether it’s raw or cooked, it cannot be transported),” Pinili said.
Within a 7-kilometer radius, authorities are conducting surveillance and limiting animal movement.
Farm owners within the 10-kilometer radius are mandated to report any disease to the DA.
Right now, Oñate said the local government is still tracing the origin of the virus.
“Nagbaback trace tayo kung saan nagsimula itong ating problema (We are still backtracking where this was acquired),” he said.
For the infected areas, Pinili said all pigs will be culled to prevent the disease from spreading.
Based on the CVO’s livestock technician in Calinan, Pinili said an estimated 1,400 pigs in Lamanan and 600 pigs in Dominga will be culled.
As to the method of culling, she said they will base it on the prescribed method on the Republic Act No. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act.
Compensation for affected hog raisers
Oñate said affected hog raisers will be compensated P5,000 for each pig that will be culled, as an indemnity payment.
He said they should voluntarily surrender their hogs.
“Kesa atigo nila, hulaton nila, tapos mamatay ra gihapon. Di sila mababayaran. (They will not be compensated if they will not surrender it. It would be pointless because there is a possibility that it might die),” Oñate said.
He added, “There is no point in hiding them since the movement in transporting these animals outside is restricted”.
On top of the DA-financial assistance, Pinili said the city government will also be giving P5,000 cash assistance, regardless of the size and age of the hog.
Also, an additional cash assistance will be given, depending on its weight.
Practice biosecurity
Pinili encourage hograisers, both commercial and backyard, to practice biosecurity protocol, including setting up footbaths in the point of entry and exit to prevent the virus from spreading.
She also reiterated the “no swill feeding” policy, which is highly-contributing to the spread of the virus.
Samal issues temporary pork ban
The Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy, on the same day, issued an executive order temporarily banning all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and by products from ASF-affected areas.
Uy also ordered for the creation of ASF Task Force, which will strictly monitor the entrance and exit of hogs and meat in the city.