85 hogs die in South Cotabato village from still unknown cause

SURALLAH, South Cotabato – At least 85 hogs have “mysteriously died” in the past two weeks here, prompting authorities to restrict the transport of live pigs and pork products in the area.

Agriculture workers are scheduled to collect blood samples from sick pigs on Thursday from backyard hog raisers in Barangay Moloy to determine the cause of death and interventions for disease control measures.

Cristine Alido Tapar, Barangay Moloy animal health worker, said the unexplained deaths of hogs were first reported to the village government on June 17 by backyard raisers.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Negros Oriental bans hogs, pork products from ASF-hit areas

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The affected hogs developed high fever, skin rashes, loss of appetite, weakness, severe breathing difficulty, and eventually refused food, drinking only water before dying, Tapar said.

Among the hog raisers affected is Annie Vegafreya, who said she had already lost 17 pigs since June 17, including a sow, 10 piglets, and seven fattening hogs.

One remaining pig is also showing severe rashes and has stopped eating, making its chances of survival uncertain, she said.

The barangay government has reported the incident to the Surallah Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), which advised raisers to give fever medication, vitamins, and antibiotics to the affected animals.

Article continues after this advertisement

Despite the suggested treatment, most of the pigs died within about a week, Tapar noted.

She said that sows with young piglets, gestating pigs, and fattening hogs appeared to be the most vulnerable.

Article continues after this advertisement

Efraem Fulgencio, Barangay Moloy chairperson, directed the establishment of checkpoints at the barangay’s entry and exit points, a temporary ban on the movement of live pigs and pork products, and the suspension of hog slaughter pending the outcome of the laboratory results.

READ: DA eyes Q3 rollout of ASF vaccine

The Department of Agriculture-12 had distributed vitamins and disinfectants to backyard hog raisers in the village as part of the efforts to contain the suspected animal disease.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

As of February, the Provincial Veterinary Office of South Cotabato reported that the province remains free from the African Swine Fever (ASF)./coa