DA to deploy sentinel pigs in Naga, 3 towns

By Paulo DS. Papa

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol will be deploying sentinel pigs in selected areas in Naga City and the towns of Magarao, Bombon and Calabanga, Camarines Sur to test and check if the African Swine Fever (ASF) in these areas has finally been eradicated.

To recall, hogs in these towns and Naga city were the first in the province infected by ASF.

Emily Bordado, DA Bicol spokesperson, said that that preparations for the deployment of sentinel pigs are on the way and once deployed, the pigs will be monitored for 40 days.

Bordado said the 40-day period will start right after the last depopulation was conducted and regular disinfection are done.

She said the sentinel pigs were bought by the DA from commercial farms, which are ASF- free.

DA regularly conducts rapid testing of hogs to ensure that they are free from ASF and to prevent the spread of infection, Bordado said.

She bared that hog buyers outside the regions are being blamed for continuous transmission of the ASF in more towns in the region.

As of Mar. 15, there are 56 areas in the Bicol region infected by the animal disease.