June 12, 2023

Barangays in Negros Occidental, Philippines municipality under lockdown following pig deaths

The mayor of Hinigaran, a municipality in Negros Occidental, the Philippines, has issued a lockdown order for two barangays in Hinigaran, where pig deaths were discovered on June 7.

The movement of pigs in and out of Barangays Anahaw and Cabahug is now prohibited, following a recent announcement that seven pigs from Hinigaran tested positive for African swine fever (ASF) after being transported to Victorias City.

Hinigaran mayor Nadie Arceo  said the seven ASF-positive pigs originated from Barangay Anahaw in Hinigaran. The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) representative in the municipality initially cleared the pigs for sale in Victorias City, as no pig deaths had been reported in Barangay Anahaw.

'The hog raisers hid the fact that there were deaths in Anahaw,' Arceo said.

In the neighboring Barangay Cabahug, there have been 16 pig deaths reported. Blood samples from the pigs in both barangays have been collected for ASF testing by the PVO.

Arceo said that all pigs in Hinigaran must be slaughtered at the town's new slaughterhouse starting last week to ensure that they are healthy.

- Inquirer