The provincial government gets blood samples from pig sentinels that are distributed across municipalities to look for diseases that might be affecting pig production. (Photo courtesy of PGO Camiguin)
CAMIGUIN (PIA) — The Provincial Veterinary Office has confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in two barangays of the province, prompting the local government unit (LGU) to intensify containment measures.
“Na’y confirmed case sa ASF sa Barangay Benhaan ug Barangay Tupsan. Nakuha nato ang result ana sa February 13 sa hapon. Kaning duha sa Tupsan ug kaning isa sa Benhaan mao kini ang confirmed nga positive,” said Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Lordgin Gamo during the joint meeting of key councils, March 5.
(There is a confirmed case of ASF in both Barangays Benhaan and Tupsan. We received the results on the afternoon of February 13. The two cases in Tupsan and the one in Benhaan are confirmed positive.)
To curb the spread of the virus, the LGU is implementing a containment protocol, which includes the depopulation of pigs within a 500-meter radius of infected areas. However, Gamo clarified, “Atong gi-consider nga kung may healthy pa nga baboy, within that 500 meter radius, dili lang sa nato i-depop. So mao na nga nag-identify mi and we utilized the QGIS [Quantum Geographic Information System].”
(We are considering that if there are still healthy pigs within that 500-meter radius, we will not depopulate them for now. That’s why we are identifying and utilizing the QGIS [Quantum Geographic Information System] system.)
He added that this system will help them assess and manage risk zones more effectively.
“Makita gyud nato nga maskin within sa 250 meter radius, naa gyu’y mga baboyan nga nakasulod nga as to date, buhi pa gyapon ilang mga baboy. Same gyapon sa Tupsan, naa gyapo’y nakasulod sa atong 250 meter radius, buhi gyapon ang ilang baboy. So ga-conduct mi og monitoring every three days. Sa isa ka semana makakuha mi og data,” Gamo said.
(We can clearly observe that there are pig farms within the 250-meter radius where the pigs are still alive today. The same goes for Tupsan—there are also farms within the 250-meter radius where the pigs are still alive. So, we are conducting monitoring every three days. Within a week, we are able to gather data.)
The provincial government has also reinforced biosecurity measures. Gamo clarified that, regardless of the level of disinfection, the disease-infected pig farms will lose all their pigs. Thus, to prevent depopulation, he urged local hog raisers to comply with biosecurity protocols and report any signs of infection immediately.
“Ang akong lang gyud request sa mga barangay, i-relay nato sa atong mga constituents nga i-report gyud ug dili gyud itago kay kung mudaghan gani ni nga nag-positive unya mukalat siya paspas pareha sauna, mubalik gyud ta ato, laras gyud, huruton. Pero so far, na-contain man gyapon,” said Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo.
(My only request to the barangays is to inform our constituents that they must report cases and not conceal them. If the number of positive cases rises and the virus spreads rapidly, we will have to cull all the pigs again. But so far, we have managed to contain it.)
Additionally, the movement of pigs into and out of affected areas is subject to restrictions. An executive order has been issued to prohibit the treatment or transport of potentially infected animals, in line with national ASF control guidelines.
Romualdo said they continue to coordinate closely with barangay officials to ensure the enforcement of ASF containment strategies. While the situation remains challenging, he said authorities remain committed to containing the outbreak and preventing further spread of the virus. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
