ALL towns within the seven-kilometer radius from Barangay Baloling, Mapandan tested negative for African Swine Fever.

This was confirmed by Gov. Amado Espino III last week, attesting that as of October 7, the random testing of hogs proved that no farm in the province is affected by African Swine Flu that infected hogs brought in from Bulacan. “The province is safe,“ he said.

Following the 1-7-10 protocol, some hogs in towns within the seven kilometer radius, namely: Mangaldan, Manaoag, Urdaneta, San Jacinto, Laoac, Pozorrubio, and the rest of Mapandan have been under surveillance, and the tested hogs came out negative.

Strict monitoring of hogs in Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, San Fabian, Malasiqui, and Dagupan in the 10-kilometer radius continues.

On September 26, 71 hogs were seized and culled in Brgy Baloling after the blood samples of 30 of 60 hogs tested positive for ASF. Culling operations within the one-kilometer radius of the ground zero followed on September 30.

Hogs from a farm in Pozorrubio tested also negative.

Espino said entry checkpoints to the province will still remain as long as there are still recorded cases of ASF in the country.

Asst. Provincial Veterinarian Jovito Tabarejos, who identified high fever, decrease in appetite, and blotchy skin lesions are some early warning signs that hogs are infected by ASF,  affirmed “ASF is under control” citing the contingency plan in place that includes the banning of pork imports, avoiding swill feeding, blocking of swine entry in the province, educating the people, and submitting laboratory samples to the responsible offices. (PIO)

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