MICHAEL MEDINA
Editor-in-chief
OZAMIZ CITY--Animal doctors in the province swiftly thwarted a probable infection from the dreaded hog cholera that has already affected swines in the nearby Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro.
Provincial veterinarian Barcelo Ynque told MINDANAO MONITOR in a telephone conversation that he has already taken contingency measures against the dreaded disease.
Hog cholera is a highly contagious viral disease of swine characterized by high fever, severe depression, multiple superficial and internal hemorrhages, and high morbidity and mortality.
In its chronic form, pigs infected with hog cholera show signs of anorexia and fever. Recovery is rarely seen in mature animals.
Ynque said he has ordered the free vaccination of backyard swines in villages throughout the province without delay after learning of the hog cholera epidemic in Misamis Oriental.
Ynque then declared that he is linking with their counterparts in the region, requesting for updates of the epidemic and has asked for additional vials of vaccine against the disease, also called swine fever.
A newspaper report, quoting Cagayan de Oro City veterinarian Dr. Perla Asis, stated that the hog cholera outbreak has turned into “epidemic proportions” a week after being detected, killing some 2,300 backyard pigs.
Reports of swine deaths were first noticed in Magsaysay town four months ago. The virus has since spread to Opol, Jasaan, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Medina, Talisayan, Kinoguitan, Tagoloan, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro cities.
Da records place the total swine population of Misamis Oriental at 180,000 hogs, mostly tended by backyard raisers.
Also, veterinarians from the region said the virus might have been carried in vehicles used in transporting pigs or by persons who travel between backyard piggeries.
The virus, they added, can also be transmitted through contact with body secretions and excrement from infected animals or healthy pigs coming into contact with contaminated vehicles, pens, feed, or clothing.
For her part, City Veterinarian Dr. Evelyn Sunico told this paper during a visit at her office that the hog cholera epidemic is not likely to show in Ozamiz considering their massive vaccination efforts in the barangays
Likewise, she said the city is not getting its meat from neighboring places outside the city but from local raisers and butchers, ensuring further protection from the said disease.
Added to this, Sunico said her office is strictly monitoring backyard piggery farms and have acquainted raisers with proper measures in cleaning their pigpens.
She explained that their actions were in compliance from the regional office, which ordered them to do preventive vaccinations to check the spread of the virus.
Lealyn Ramos, DA regional executive director, in a public advisory obtained by this paper, advised the public “not to panic” and “be vigilant” in reporting any case being observed in their livestock.
“The DA is assisting the provincial and municipal local government units of Misamis Oriental in the control measures with the release of 3,450 doses of hog cholera vaccines. As of today, the incidence report has declined in the municipalities that have instituted vaccination,” Ramos said.
“Farmers are advised not to ‘force slaughter’ or sell their sick animals to traders for this will be a means of spreading the disease.”
“For the consuming public, we advise them to buy only the meat that passed meat inspection by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) at accredited slaughterhouses,” she added.
To recall, the hog cholera outbreak first happened in Bulacan and Pampanga, August of 2007, killing 500 hogs
Vaccines needed to contain the hog cholera virus cost some P2.4 million as animal doctors are encouraging backyard farmers to monitor the health of their swine, especially during this rainy season.
It was also observed by this paper that there are no footbaths placed in strategic places on the province for passengers to step on after disembarking from ships and buses.
Provincial veterinarian Barcelo Ynque told MINDANAO MONITOR in a telephone conversation that he has already taken contingency measures against the dreaded disease.
Hog cholera is a highly contagious viral disease of swine characterized by high fever, severe depression, multiple superficial and internal hemorrhages, and high morbidity and mortality.
In its chronic form, pigs infected with hog cholera show signs of anorexia and fever. Recovery is rarely seen in mature animals.
Ynque said he has ordered the free vaccination of backyard swines in villages throughout the province without delay after learning of the hog cholera epidemic in Misamis Oriental.
Ynque then declared that he is linking with their counterparts in the region, requesting for updates of the epidemic and has asked for additional vials of vaccine against the disease, also called swine fever.
A newspaper report, quoting Cagayan de Oro City veterinarian Dr. Perla Asis, stated that the hog cholera outbreak has turned into “epidemic proportions” a week after being detected, killing some 2,300 backyard pigs.
Reports of swine deaths were first noticed in Magsaysay town four months ago. The virus has since spread to Opol, Jasaan, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Medina, Talisayan, Kinoguitan, Tagoloan, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro cities.
Da records place the total swine population of Misamis Oriental at 180,000 hogs, mostly tended by backyard raisers.
Also, veterinarians from the region said the virus might have been carried in vehicles used in transporting pigs or by persons who travel between backyard piggeries.
The virus, they added, can also be transmitted through contact with body secretions and excrement from infected animals or healthy pigs coming into contact with contaminated vehicles, pens, feed, or clothing.
For her part, City Veterinarian Dr. Evelyn Sunico told this paper during a visit at her office that the hog cholera epidemic is not likely to show in Ozamiz considering their massive vaccination efforts in the barangays
Likewise, she said the city is not getting its meat from neighboring places outside the city but from local raisers and butchers, ensuring further protection from the said disease.
Added to this, Sunico said her office is strictly monitoring backyard piggery farms and have acquainted raisers with proper measures in cleaning their pigpens.
She explained that their actions were in compliance from the regional office, which ordered them to do preventive vaccinations to check the spread of the virus.
Lealyn Ramos, DA regional executive director, in a public advisory obtained by this paper, advised the public “not to panic” and “be vigilant” in reporting any case being observed in their livestock.
“The DA is assisting the provincial and municipal local government units of Misamis Oriental in the control measures with the release of 3,450 doses of hog cholera vaccines. As of today, the incidence report has declined in the municipalities that have instituted vaccination,” Ramos said.
“Farmers are advised not to ‘force slaughter’ or sell their sick animals to traders for this will be a means of spreading the disease.”
“For the consuming public, we advise them to buy only the meat that passed meat inspection by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) at accredited slaughterhouses,” she added.
To recall, the hog cholera outbreak first happened in Bulacan and Pampanga, August of 2007, killing 500 hogs
Vaccines needed to contain the hog cholera virus cost some P2.4 million as animal doctors are encouraging backyard farmers to monitor the health of their swine, especially during this rainy season.
It was also observed by this paper that there are no footbaths placed in strategic places on the province for passengers to step on after disembarking from ships and buses.