ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- All ports of entry in Iloilo province must strictly implement veterinary quarantine procedures.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. issued this latest advisory following the reported high prevalence of Classical Swine Fever in the neighboring province of Negros Occidental.

“Nagapanghugot kita. We are implementing the quarantine measures para mas maayo gid nga mapunggan naton ang pagsulod because that is an additional problem also, (We are strict. We are implementing the quarantine measures as it is better that we prevent the entry of the disease because that is an additional problem also)” the governor said in a press conference.

Suspicious cargos and/or with incomplete documents shall be returned to origin at the shippers' expense.

According to the report of Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office, some 2,421 pigs died in only 18 days this May or an average of 134 hogs a day due to hog cholera.

The deaths were mostly logged in the third and fourth districts of Negros Occidental covering the cities of Talisay, Silay, and Victorias and the towns of EB Magalona, Murcia, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra and Pulupandan.

Classical Swine Fever or hog cholera, is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild swine.

Its most virulent form causes morbidity and mortality approaching 100 percent. Infected pigs develop fever, hemorrhages, lethargy, yellowish diarrhea, vomiting, and a purple skin discoloration of the ears, lower abdomen, and legs.

Neurologic signs, reproductive failures, and abortion may also be observed.  (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo/Capitol PR)