OPVET-Abra trains agri officers, livestock coordinators on ASF control

Abra, Philippines – Following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in a meat sample taken from a wild pig caught in Comia-as Forest in Malibcong, the Office of the Provincial Veterinary of Abra conducted training to four municipalities in the province on biosecurity, surveillance and sample collection of specimens for ASF control.

Dubbed as ‘Bantay ASF sa Barangay training”, the Agricultural Training Institute-CAR held the training on Thursday, March 25, 2021 for the agricultural officers and livestock coordinators from the municipalities of Malibcong, Tineg, Lacub and Tubo.

During the event, Dr. Jomarh Zales of OPVET-Abra demonstrated the proper handling and collection of specimens. After which, a hands-on training on ASF surveillance, collection of specimen from susceptible pigs, and implementation of biosecurity measures to control and prevent the spread of ASF was held on site.

In an earlier report, the Local Government Unit of Malibcong, through a directive, banned the hunting of wild animals in the forest situated in the municipality after meat samples of wild pig sent to the Bureau of Animal Industry tested positive for ASF.

Biosecurity measures such as the transport ban of pigs from barangay to another barangay in Malibcong, as well as to other municipalities was implemented.

OPVET has also identified Barangays Lat-ey, Buanao, Umnap, Pacgued, and Mataragan as ASF risk areas since most of the hunters involved in catching wild animals in Comia-as Forest are residing within said areas.

Monitoring of pigs being raised in Malibcong and the nearby communities of Lacub, Boliney, Daguioman, and Tubo which are located near the Kalinga -Abra boundary is also currently being undertaken by OPVET.

As of this writing, PLGU Abra reported that ASF is not yet detected in backyard pigs in Malibcong town.

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