15,212 ASF hog deaths recorded in Batangas town -LGU

The Batangas provincial government logged 15,212 hog deaths due to the African swine fever (ASF) in Lobo town, Bernadette Reyes reported on 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday.

Of the 26 barangays of the town, 21 have ASF cases. Backyard farms were mostly affected.

“Around 15,212 na po yung mortalities. Ito po yung may recorded kami na namatay na po, na depopulate, nabaon. Hindi pa po kasama dito yung mga hindi na po na report sa amin na nag kanya-kanya na po pagbabaon yung mga  farmers natin,” said Angelique Romero, Public Information Officer of  Lobo town.

(There were 15,212 hog mortalities. This is the number we recorded that died, depopulated, and buried. The number does  not include those that were not reported to us, those that farmers buried on their own.)

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department was also taking action on ASF. Aside from vaccinations, the repopulation of hogs continued in different parts of the country. Hogs could also be imported if necessary.

The agency was also drafting a new policy for the transport and sale of ASF-free hogs from red zones to other areas.

“Hinihintay lang natin yung pag-issue nitong nasabing guidelines para masigurado  natin na yung mga ASF-free na baboy ay makarating sa mga pamilihan, sa  slaughterhouse at hindi hintayin na maapektuhan ng ASF sa mga red zone,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa.

(We are just waiting  for the issuance of the said guidelines to ensure that the  ASF-free pigs reach the markets, and the slaughterhouse and not wait to be  affected by ASF in the red zones.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News