ASF outbreak back; infected pigs die in Benguet towns

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --  As local government units are focused on addressing Covid-19, Benguet is faced with another concern involving its swine industry.   

The African Swine Fever (ASF) is apparently back with about 30 pigs recorded dead  in two municipalities of the province recently.

Dr. Miriam Tiongan, head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said hog raisers voluntarily reported the death of pigs in Barangay Tuding in Itogon and barangays Bahong and Wangal in La Trinidad.

Provincial veterinarians who conducted the rapid test found out that the dead pigs were ASF- positive. 

According to Tiongan, they could no longer get specimen to administer further test through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the pigs were already dead. 

Based on experience, rapid test results were 100 percent confirmed through PCR, she said.

ASF manifestations were observed among swine such as loss of appetite, signs in the outer skin, affected kidneys and spleen among other relevant signs and symptoms, she said.

ASF is a cause for alarm as it may totally wipe out the swine production in the province. 

If not contained, it may not only affect hog raisers but also food security, Tiongan added.

There were 488 ASF death cases recorded last February  including mortalities and depopulated swine in barangay Beckel in La Trindad, barangays Camp 1 and Camp 4 in Tuba, and barangay Tinongdan in Itogon. 

Since then there were no recorded cases.

Authorities are looking on how ASF   has recurred in the province.

Feeding of swills may not be the possible source because restaurants only entertain take outs during the enhanced community quarantine.

Tiongan said the transfer of pigs from was restricted during the ECQ. 

For pigs coming into the province, strict monitoring is imposesd along quarantine checkpoints.  In the case of legitimate traders, “We let them go back if the necessary permits and documents are not complete, even if only photocopied,” she added.

Tiongan said transmission of the disease from pork meat transported in vehicles labeled with food pass which pass through checkpoints unhampered could be contributory to ASF outbreak.  “With ASF outbreak in the lowlands, infected pigs may have been butchered prior to its transportation.”

Tiongan sees problems in containing the disease with the relaxing of requirements such as laboratory tests as long as there is ASF-free status certification and without mortalities for the past 21 days. -- JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet