Strange virus killing piglets in Bulacan

ANGELES CITY — A strange fatal virus causing diarrhea among piglets in Bulacan has continued to baffle veterinarians who now fear that if the viral ailment spreads, there could be a shortage of pork in Metro Manila in three months.

Dr. Jose Carillo, chief of the veterinary disease prevention and regulatory division of the Bulacan provincial government, told The STAR that at least five medium-sized swine farms have been placed under full quarantine amid reports that the viral diarrhea is highly contagious.

He said cases of the diarrheal virus were reported in the contiguous towns of Pandi, Sta. Maria and Marilao.

"The virus seems to be a mutation of an ailment we know, but this time, it seems to be more virulent and contagious. It is a more advanced virus, " he said.

He said newly born piglets seem to be more susceptible to the ailment up to their weaning period or about 30 to 40 days after birth. Some piglets were reported to have died.

Since Bulacan provides about 60 percent of Metro Manila’s daily pork supply, or about 3,000 heads per day, Carillo fears that if the mysterious virus spreads in the province, there could be a pork shortage in the metropolis in three months.

"Shortage (of pork in Metro Manila) is possible if the piglets die before they grow up for slaughtering," he said. "Laboratory studies are still being done."

Carillo declined to give estimates of how many piglets have been infected by the virus.

Experts from the Bureau of Animal Industry have already stepped in to investigate the virus, he said.

Carillo lamented that for some reasons, swine farm owners have not been "open" about giving information on the strange illness.

He said he was not aware of similar cases elsewhere in the country.

Carillo cited the need for "virus security" measures similar to those adopted during outbreaks of the foot-and-mouth disease.

Besides quarantine, Carillo also urged swine-raisers to look into the feeds that they use.

"It is possible that the feeds are the sources of contamination, especially protein sources such as fishmeals," he said.