Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that he is cautious in declaring the province as African Swine Fever (ASF)-infected, despite reports of a case in Pulupandan town.
“We have not received any confirmation with regard to the ASF case in the province. I understand there were four pool samples, of the four there is one positive, although we have not officially received that report,” Lacson said in a media interview.
The province, he added, is already taking measures and “we are following the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry protocol, so we will isolate that area where one pig was found ASF positive.” (https://shorturl.ac/7aa9b)
The governor said that a 500-meter restricted radius will be maintained in the area where the ASF-positive pig was detected. A 15-day observation period will be imposed as well.
“If there is no repeat of such incident, then we can say it is just isolated, but if there is, then we will just continue with DA-BAI protocol of 7-kilometer and then 10-kilometer radius,” according to him.
Lacson reiterated that the provincial government has already established protocols to address the worst-case scenario.
“Let us be very careful, let us not rush to declare the province as ASF infected like in this case, four samples were tested only one turned out positive, if we declare ASF affected, kawawa naman yung owners of the remaining three, that is 75 percent, that is why we have to be very careful.”