Ginatilan logs zero ASF cases after expanded monitoring

Local

GINATILAN has recorded no additional African Swine Fever (ASF) cases after two weeks of expanded monitoring but authorities have yet to establish the source of the initial infections.

Cebu Provincial Veterinarian Mary Rose Vincoy said all 60 samples collected from pigs in 12 barangays outside the initially affected areas tested negative for the virus.

“Good to note na after getting all of the samples, a total of 60 samples from the rest of the barangays, negative siya tanan,” Vincoy said.

The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory tested the samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a laboratory method for detecting the virus.

Vincoy said the two-week monitoring period yielded no additional or suspected ASF cases.

No further swine mortalities linked to suspected infections were reported during the same period.

The Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) expanded its surveillance beyond Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan, where ASF was confirmed in September, to determine whether the disease had spread to other parts of the municipality.

Three of four initial samples collected in Ginatilan tested positive for ASF DNA, while a fifth sample from neighboring Malabuyoc tested negative.

Authorities placed Cagsing and Calabawan under quarantine and established checkpoints along highways and other possible routes to monitor the movement of hogs, pork and related products.

They also intensified disinfection and other biosecurity measures.

Following the expanded surveillance, the PVO withdrew its field teams from Ginatilan.

However, the negative results from the 12 barangays do not establish that the entire municipality is free of ASF.

Investigators have yet to determine how the virus entered Ginatilan.

Vincoy previously said authorities were examining information that some affected pigs may have had contact with animals from Negros Oriental, including reports involving pigs acquired in Tanjay City.

“There are information that surfaced. But I cannot say that this is the real cause,” Vincoy said in an earlier interview, emphasizing that the suspected origin remained unconfirmed.

The PVO has urged local government units to sustain preventive measures throughout October, including monitoring animal health and controlling the movement of potentially infected livestock and pork products.

Local meat inspectors and municipal agriculture officers are also monitoring backyard slaughtering and meat distribution in their respective areas to help detect possible infections and limit transmission.

The provincial veterinary office has called on local authorities and hog raisers to promptly report unusual pig deaths or suspected infections.

They stressed the importance of early detection and compliance with quarantine and biosecurity protocols to protect Cebu’s hog industry.

Earlier, Mayor Roy Vincent Singco issued an executive order placing the municipality under enhanced biosecurity measures following the confirmation of infections in Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan.

The order prohibits the movement of pigs into or out of the affected barangays without written clearance, as well as pig slaughtering and butchering until further notice.

All livestock trading and transfers across Ginatilan, including during its regular Tuesday and Friday market days, have also been suspended.

Livestock carriers are barred from entering barangays to conduct transactions, while vehicles passing through the national road from Barangay Looc to Barangay Palanas may not stop or conduct livestock-related activities within the municipality.(MyTVCebu)