No more swine fever in Bonbon

CEBU, Philippines — No more new cases of the African Swine Fever (ASF) have been noted in Barangay Bonbon this city after the death of at least seven pigs due to the said animal disease last July14.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries’ (DVMF) head Dr. Alice Utlang said there were no longer any positive ASF cases in Bonbon since July.

DVMF since then implemented strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease to other barangays. Measures include daily blood sample collection and regular disinfection in swine farms in the said barangay.

ASF is described by the World Organization for Animal Health as a highly-contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs and is characterized by high fever, loss of appetite, and hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs, and often leads to death within a few days.

Even as it does not harm human health, ASF outbreaks have severe economic impacts due to the loss of livestock. The virus is resilient and can be spread through direct contact with infected pigs, contaminated feed, or objects such as clothing and vehicles.

Meanwhile, close to 80 farmers have secured livestock insurance for their hogs through the assistance of the City Agriculture Department (CAD). These farmers have applied for insurance for at least 405 of their breeding and fattening hogs to CAD.

The farmers immediately availed of livestock insurance after the incident in Barangay Bonbon.

“Gidasig nato atong mga farmers karun nga magpa-insure sa ilang mga hayopan kay dili nato matag-an g’yud nga naay mga ing-ana nga mahitabo. At least, naa silay mapaabot,” said CAD agriculturist Elyn Marie Burlaos via the City’s Sugbuanon channel.

Interested farmers can visit the CAD office at the Cebu City Satellite Office for more information on how to avail of livestock insurance. — (FREEMAN)