Despite the threat of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-XI continues to be on top of the African Swine Fever (ASF) situation in the region, particularly in Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro.
In Davao Oriental, after the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL)-XII confirmed that the submitted samples from Mati City were ASF-positive, DA-XI conducted a meeting with the City Veterinarian’s Office on December 17, 2020, to discuss the measures implemented by the LGUs for disease control and prevention.
The Mati City LGU had a meeting with the ASF Task Force to institute preventive measures such as the establishment of quarantine checkpoints in the affected area, and has also committed to allot P2,000 per pig for the affected hog raisers.
Depopulation activities continued in the affected barangays – Brgy. Don Salvador Lopez with 24 culled pigs, Brgy. Tagbinonga with 50 culled pigs, and Brgy. Buso with 52 culled pigs, totalling to 126 culled pigs and 58 affected hog raisers in Mati City.
In Banay-Banay, a total of 68 pigs were depopulated after RADDL-XII confirmed that one hog raiser had ASF-positive pigs, with 2 already dead and 2 exhibiting symptoms.
In Tarragona, a total of 52 pigs were depopulated after RADDL-XII confirmed that samples from the affected hogs in the area tested as ASF-positive.
In Baganga, the Municipal Administrator presented their ASF TF with a budget allocation of P150,000 for ASF in their municipality after meeting with personnel from DA-XI and PVO Davao Oriental. Depopulation commenced after the meeting.
In Boston, depopulation was conducted after disease investigation and sample collection by PVO Davao Oriental and LGU Boston. The MAO was also briefed regarding ASF protocol and additional preventive measures.
RADDL-XII also confirmed cases of ASF in Davao de Oro, particularly in Brgy. Kingking, Pantukan. Depopulation was conducted and 31 pigs were culled from 8 affected hog raisers.
A piglet from Brgy. Kingking, Pantukan, was brought to Brgy. Siocon, Compostela, therefore spreading the disease. 223 pigs were culled from 53 affected hog raisers in the area.
In Montevista, disease investigation and sample collection in a commercial hog farm in Brgy. New Visayas was conducted after respiratory signs of disease were observed in the Grower- Finisher area of the farm. Despite medical treatment, the pigs still died, and samples were sent to RADDL-XII which were confirmed to be ASF-positive. Aside from the commercial farm, samples collected from several production houses were also ASF-positive.
A team from DA-XI headed by Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. convened with the Municipal Administrator of Montevista, PVO Davao de Oro, and representatives from the commercial farm to formally inform them of the laboratory test result and the implementation of ASF protocol for the ASF-affected commercial farm. Support for the displaced employees was also tackled during the meeting.
DA-XI personnel also went to the area to monitor the depopulation of the 1, 989 hogs which was conducted by farm personnel.
After depopulation in the affected areas, cleaning and disinfection activities were conducted, and quarantine checkpoint and disease monitoring activities in other barangays and key areas such as wet markets, slaughterhouse and livestock markets were also continued. # # # (Reicza Olojan / DA-RFO XI, RAFIS)
