0
Negros Occidental Province is set to commence hog restocking in the second quarter of this year, officially initiating the sentinel program in the first quarter to monitor and control swine diseases. With a PHP6 billion swine industry, Negros Occidental, a leading backyard hog-producing province in the country, experienced nearly 18,000 hog mortalities last year due to diseases, particularly African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera.
The sentinel program, a science-based strategy, aims to detect virus presence in specific areas, such as ASF. Dr. Placeda Lemana, the provincial veterinarian, revealed that hog raisers had already started sentinelling in the last quarter, monitored by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) district offices. No mortalities have been reported, indicating the effectiveness of pre-sentineling measures like disinfection.
Lemana emphasized that sentinelling is applicable in areas with zero swine deaths for around 40 days. Following the assessment of local government unit technicians, including measures like footbaths and perimeter fences, restocking is scheduled for the second quarter, aiming for a return to normal hog production in the third or fourth quarter of this year.
Despite progress, Lemana cautioned against declaring Negros Occidental free from ASF and hog cholera, stating that the diseases have been controlled rather than eradicated.
January 4, 2024/ Philippine News Agency/ Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph
