DA assures Western Visayas hog cholera free, preventive measures in place
The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) has already put in place preventive measures to prevent possible outbreak of hog cholera.
DA Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales said the preparation includes continuous monitoring and strict surveillance of all commercial and backyard piggery farms in the region.
Nacionales cited that a great bulk of the region's hog production, which is equivalent to 87 percent, comes from backyard farms.
"We require all provincial veterinarians in the region to submit a situation report, not only for this disease but also all other diseases because we are trying to maintain Western Visayas to be free from foot and mouth disease (FMD)," he explained.
Moreover, Nacionales mentioned that all shipping and airline companies were already advised not to load hogs and other animals and other meat products without a valid shipping permit.
There is also a close coordination between and among quarantine officers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in enforcing Animal Quarantine Rules and Regulations.
Nacionales added that the regional laboratory is equipped with facilities to examination hog cholera cases for confirmation purposes. At the same time, some 10,000 doses of vaccines are ready during emergency situations.
The regional director stressed that DA--Western Visayas must be prepared at all times although right now no single case was monitored.
He underscored that this region is one of the major exporters of hogs to Luzon and Cebu areas.
For the last six months, an average of 8,000 hogs per month are being shipped outside of this region, he added.
"At present there are no cases and there is no need to be alarmed," he assured.
(PNA)