By Loremia Pareja-Apayao PIO

LUNA, Apayao – The Municipality of Calanasan was recently hit by African Swine Fever virus, recording 122 mortalities from September 1 to October 8, 2024.

The Office of Agricultural Services (OAS) in Calanasan informed there were 15 farmers from different barangays affected, including Poblacion (12 farmers), Sabangan (2) and Eleazar (1).

As a precautionary measure, Mayor Shamir M. Bulut signed an Executive Order No. 10, which temporarily bans the movement of live swine’s and pork products within the municipality to lessen ASF cases.

The municipal government is actively monitoring and conducting surveillance within a 500-meter radius of affected farms.

Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns are also being implemented for local swine raisers for ASF prevention.

In 2021, the municipality faced a similar crisis with 135 affected farmers and 801 hogs lost to ASF, including 106 culled from the local government’s demo farm. This previous experience increased farmers understanding of the need of reporting indicators of disease in pigs and following biosecurity measures.

The local government is also exploring funding opportunities for future vaccine availability against ASF.

Dr. Reah Vivian M. Piagan, Veterinarian II and Municipal Livestock Focal Person, emphasized the importance of community cooperation in this fight against ASF, saying “strengthen da pay ti panagannad da iti kanya kanya da nga farms tapnu maliklikan ti ASF ken dagiti apektadon ket umannugot da lang iti proseso ken patakaran tapnon ada metlang gungunada.”

Piagan also expressed hope of soon obtaining a vaccine, looking forward to securing funding from the provincial government.

What to do to avoid ASF infection?

ASF Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea weakness and reddening or darkening of skin.

Biosecurity measures should be observed and farmers are obligated to clean and disinfect their own farms. Ensuring that the water and feed are clean to avoid swill feeding.