Negros Occidental’s Battle Against African Swine Fever Bears Fruit as Hog Industry Recovers
In a positive turn of events for Negros Occidental’s hog industry, the provincial veterinary office (PVO) recently declared that African swine fever (ASF) in Negros Occidental has been effectively contained. This comes as welcome news following months of struggle and significant losses in the province’s swine sector.
The ASF Challenge in Negros Occidental
As of September 21, 2023, the PVO reported zero hog deaths due to ASF in the past several weeks. This remarkable achievement comes after a grim period that saw 17,801 hog fatalities due to ASF and other swine diseases. These losses represented approximately 9.96 percent of the total hog population in Negros Occidental, amounting to devastating consequences for the local hog industry.
The province’s hog raisers bore the brunt of these losses, incurring damages worth P200 million. With 3,536 hog raisers affected across 153 barangays in 20 towns and cities, the impact of the swine diseases was widespread and deeply felt.
Drastic Decline in Hog Shipments
The effects of the ASF outbreak rippled beyond Negros Occidental’s borders. In a report dated September 13, 2023, Dr. Placeda Lemana, the provincial veterinarian, disclosed that hog shipments from Negros Occidental to other parts of the country plummeted by nearly 70 percent in August. A stark contrast to the 10,000 heads shipped out in July, only 3,000 were transported in August.
This decline was primarily attributed to the Bureau of Animal Industry’s decision to cancel the issuance of certificates of free status to backyard hog raisers when ASF was detected in seven areas within the province. The move was aimed at preventing the spread of the disease to other regions.
Recovery and Hope
Despite these challenges, Negros Occidental’s hog industry is showing signs of resilience and recovery. Dr. Lemana reported that from August 11 to 22 and from August 24 to September 11, the province registered zero hog mortalities due to ASF. This achievement, coupled with stringent measures and effective containment strategies, has given a glimmer of hope to hog raisers in the region.
Additionally, authorities have encouraged backyard hog raisers to prepare for an ASF recovery program by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting their facilities. The program will involve the observation of sentinel hogs for two weeks to one month before swine repopulation can commence. These measures are crucial to ensure that the disease does not resurface and to safeguard the hard-earned progress.
Economic Outlook
The recent containment of ASF in Negros Occidental is not only a triumph for the local hog industry but also a positive development for the province’s economic outlook. With ASF no longer posing an immediate threat, the province can anticipate an increase in demand for pork products during the upcoming holiday season.
Currently, the average price of pork in Negros Occidental stands at P280 per kilo, and with supply stabilizing, consumers can look forward to more stable prices.
ASF in Negros Occidental
The journey to containing African swine fever in Negros Occidental has been fraught with challenges, but the recent reports of zero hog deaths offer hope for a brighter future. The resilience of the province’s hog raisers, combined with effective containment measures, signals a turning point in the battle against ASF. As Negros Occidental rebuilds its hog industry, it also rekindles the spirit of hope for economic recovery and stability.
