CALBIGA, Samar — A full lockdown on swine, hogs, and pork meat was implemented yesterday in an interior village of this town after blood samples taken last week on suspicion of African Swine Fever (ASF) tested positive.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) led by Mayor Red Nacario is expected to issue an Executive Order today detailing the municipality’s response to the outbreak and addressing concerns about food security.
According to the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), two blood samples from separate piggery yards in Brgy. Calingonan were sent to Tacloban City for laboratory examination on May 29, 2024. This action was taken following the unexplained deaths of several swine in the village, suspected to be caused by the ASF virus. The results, received yesterday, confirmed one sample as ASF positive, while the other was negative.
Dr. Juan Paulo Cabueños, the MAO chief, emphasized the necessity of the lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading further.
“Even before we received the results, animal quarantine measures were already in place in several areas within the Red and Yellow Zones,” Dr. Cabueños stated.
While some stakeholders have suggested avoiding mass culling, the decision is pending further blood sampling of all swine within the Red Zone, which spans approximately one kilometer in radius from the initial infection site.
Earlier this morning, the MAO identified another possible ASF case in an adjacent piggery in the same village, showing similar symptoms.
“Based on physical attributes and the presence of blood in the urine, this is definitely another ASF case,” said Dr. Cabueños.
As of now, and in anticipation of the Executive Order, the MAO has mandated a zero movement policy for swine and pork meat in Brgy. Calingonan.
While mass culling remains a secondary option, those wishing to slaughter their healthy swine may do so, but the pork meat must remain within the Red Zone.
It is noted that ASF infections were reported a couple of weeks ago in Brgys. Camanhagay and Dolores in the adjacent town of San Sebastian.
However, there is no confirmation yet if the ASF cases in Brgy. Calingonan are linked to those in San Sebastian. (By Rommel L. Rutor)
