Negros Occidental levels up efforts to prevent resurgence of ASF

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental campaign to prevent the resurgence of the African swine fever (ASF) in the province resulted in the interception of 41 pigs in Escalante City on Monday, August 12.

Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian, said on Wednesday, August 14, the pigs that arrived on a pumpboat were intercepted by Barangay Rizal, Escalante officials as they had no documents indicating where they came from.

“There is a possibility that they came from Cebu,” Lemana said.

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The Negros Occidental provincial government has an existing ban on the entry of pigs and pork products from ASF hit areas, including Cebu.

Lemana said the persons who brought in the 41 pigs claimed they came from Molocaboc in Sagay City.

However, the Molocaboc barangay captain said he had not issued a clearance for shipment of pigs, which means they did not come from his village.

One pig died and the 40 others were loaded on three pump boats with orders that they be returned to their point of origin, Lemana said.

“We cannot take a risk because Negros Occidental is already recovering from ASF,” Lemana said.