Hog cholera outbreak hits Leyte village

BURAUEN/LEYTE, Philippines — Residents of a village here slaughtered in the last two weeks 20 pigs suspected of having hog cholera. Provincial veterinarian Teofilo Mendoza said the affected community was Barangay Tambis, about five kilometers away from the town center. "All the symptoms observed pointed to hog cholera. Some villagers were just worried that their animals might have the disease," he said. Hogs stricken with the virus lose their appetite and suffer from severe body weakness, constipation or diarrhea, nasal discharge and display red spots on the skin. Gerry Echon, a backyard hog raiser, said hog raisers slaughtered their animals as soon as they notice the symptoms. Mr. Mendoza said they were monitoring six suspected hog cholera cases in the same village. Last week, a team from the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Agriculture conducted a vaccination campaign in Bgy. Tambis and the nearby villages of Maabab, Malaihao, Cagangon. "Vaccinations were provided to about 100 pigs in four villages," said Mr. Mendoza. Agriculture regional information officer Virginia Macanda said department officials discussed the situation with villagers last week. "Many people are not aware of what the disease is and how to manage such problems in their villages. They’re supposed to bury infected animals instead of slaughtering and sharing the meat with the neighborhood," Ms. Macanda said. "Although hog cholera affects only pigs and has no detrimental effects on humans, it is still not ideal to eat the meat of infected animals." Authorities advised swine raisers to check animals at least twice a week for unusual signs or behavior; make sure food waste is properly heated to destroy pathogens; isolate newly purchased hogs for at least 21 days; isolate sick pigs until the cause of illness is determined; fence property against wild pigs; and practice biosecurity measures like disinfecting clothing, equipment, and vehicles. — S. Q. Meniano, BusinessWorld