At the height of fiesta celebrations, African Swine Fever (ASF) wreaks havoc on Barangay Calingonan in Calbiga, Samar.
The local government unit (LGU) was forced to issue an Executive Order (EO) providing actions to prevent further spread of ASF.
The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) earlier took two blood samples from two different backyard piggeries. These tested positive.
Immediately, the LGU declared the village a red zone.
Meanwhile, the nearby villages of San Ignacio, Calayaan, Timbangan, and Canticum were placed under yellow zone or areas considered for surveillance.
On the other hand, Barangays Polangi, Patong, Rawis, Borobaybay, Malabal, and other villages of the town were under green or buffer zone. These are areas surrounding hazardous places that have to be protected for infestation or pestilence.
Preparatory Measures
Prior to the release of the results, the LGU had already made preparations for the worst and implemented a lockdown to prevent further spread of the ASF virus.
In fact, a zero movement policy has been enforced in Barangay Calingonan, restricting the transport of swine and pork meat.
“Even before we received the results, animal quarantine measures were already in place in several areas within the Red and Yellow Zones,” Dr. Juan Paulo Cabueños, the MAO chief, said.
No Other Option
With the presence of the virus, the public anticipates what will come next: culling.
Despite numerous pleas to avoid drastic measures, the decision is pending until further blood sampling of all swine within the Red Zone, which spans approximately one kilometer in radius from the initial infection site, is tested.
“Makahuhulop intalon kay imbissigurado na makabawi han gastos kay patron patron man. Maiihaw la hin waray. Oo gad babaydan an mga apektado per okay pirahay man la ito. Guol pala ngan gastos lugi ka na,” Mario, a local hog raiser raised his sentiments.
As of this writing, results from the different zones are still pending and no confirmation was released whether the Calingonan ASF cases are related to the cases earlier documented in the villages of Camanhagay and Dolores in the adjacent town of San Sebastian.
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