ASIDE from Benguet, cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were also reported in Kalinga, according to the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR).
In a press conference, lawyer Jennilyn Dawayan, regional technical director for research and regulation, said ASF affected areas include the town of Tanudan, Tabuk City in Kalinga aside from the earlier reported cases in Beckel, La Trinidad and Camp 1, Tuba in Benguet.
Blood samples of the pigs were found positive of the virus based on the DA Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic and Reference laboratory test.
Barangay Beckel in La Trinidad, were one of the first areas in the Cordillera region who had closed to 200 pigs culled to prevent spread of ASF.
Despite the ASF scare in Kalinga, no culling of pigs has been made as of Wednesday, February 12.
“No culling has been done. We identified ground zero in Barangay San Julian, Tabuk City and Tanudan. It was reported that sometime January, may namamatay na, we got samples from there,” she added.
Dawayan said they are set to visit Kalinga to have consultation with stakeholders and look into high risk areas.
In Beckel, based on investigation, a police officer who ordered the pig online from Pangasinan was believed to be the source of ASF.
However, due to consecutive deaths, he reported to veterinarians with results of the tests released last week confirmed the pigs tested were positive of ASF.
It was also found that the shipper used a private vehicle to transport pigs which is prohibited according to DA-CAR.
The hog raiser himself informed authorities of the incident and opted his pigs to be culled in order to prevent the spread of ASF.
“This event is an eye opener to Benguet to strengthen their quarantine measures,” Dawayan said.
In Camp 1, swill feeds obtained from a restaurant in Baguio City is suspected as one of the cause of the contamination.
Following the ASF contamination, a “1-7-10” protocol was issued by the BAI and Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices (RFO) to manage and control the disease.
Still in lockdown
A temporary lockdown on the entry of live pigs was issued by Governor Melchor Diclas, followed by La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong backed the temporary banning of live pigs in the city.
“Only fresh, frozen and processed pork products with valid health and shipping permits are allowed to enter the city,” Magalong said.
He also reiterated his previous directive to restaurants and establishments not to sell or give away food leftovers to hog raisers.
Cash assistance
DA, meanwhile, assured cash assistance to affected hog raises in Benguet and Kalinga.
Aside from free laboratory to affected hog raisers, an indemnification fund of P5,000 per swine will be provided.
However Dawayan clarified the P5,000 financial assistance to hog raisers will still to be requested to the central office.
ASF can be transmitted by contaminated feed or feed ingredients imported from countries where ASF.
Veterinarian IV Dr. Ofelia Ducayag said there are no vaccines developed yet adding ASF remains harmless to humans.
DA-CAR officials urged the public to declare any suspicious case to the veterinary services and avoid feeding pigs any kitchen waste (food scraps).