La libertad: The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has confirmed five cases of African swine fever (ASF) in the Negros Oriental town of La Libertad, leading to intensified containment efforts and heightened surveillance in four additional municipalities.
According to Philippines News Agency, PVO chief Dr. Melody Vilan reported the confirmed ASF cases during a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on ASF, which included Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, local officials, and other stakeholders. Dr. Vilan stated that the positive results were based on blood samples collected from pigs in La Libertad on June 25 and 26, specifically from the barangays of Martilo (Sitio Binatangan), Mapalasan, Pisong (Sitio Pisok), and Pangca. Of the 65 blood samples gathered, five tested positive for ASF: one from Binatangan in Barangay Martilo, two from Barangay Mapalasan, and two from Sitio Pisok in Barangay Pisong. The nine samples from Barangay Pangca all tested negative.
Dr. Vilan announced that eight pigs from the affected households would be culled to prevent further spread of the virus. She also mentioned the implementation of biosecurity measures, including chemical disinfection in areas where infected pigs were found. Current guidelines differ from previous ASF control protocols by requiring culling only in households or farms where ASF has been confirmed, rather than the entire 500-meter radius.
Meanwhile, the PVO has placed the towns of Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, and Siaton under close surveillance after reports of hog deaths in recent weeks. Dr. Vilan emphasized the need for barangay-level monitoring and surveillance to help contain the virus's spread. Veterinary personnel are currently profiling affected animals before collecting blood samples for laboratory testing.
In response to the situation, Governor Sagarbarria stated that the provincial government is preparing to declare a state of calamity to utilize calamity funds for addressing the ASF outbreak. This proposed declaration also aims to tackle the ongoing infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), which has impacted thousands of hectares of sugarcane plantations in the province. The governor noted that a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is required before officially declaring a state of calamity.
Governor Sagarbarria emphasized that the immediate priority is to strengthen containment measures in communities to prevent the ASF virus from spreading to other areas of Negros Oriental.
