The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVET) facilitates the partial distribution of 162 sentinel pigs to selected eligible farmers in different districts in the city, in line with the city’s application for zone transition.
At least 54 hog raisers benefited from the initial distribution held Thursday, April 13. The sentinel pigs are at least 60 days old, weighing 15-20 kilos each.
Along with the sentinel hogs, the farmers also received a gallon of disinfectant and 432 bags of starter, grower and fattener feeds.
The activity forms part of the Department of Agriculture-9’s Livestock Program.
The sentinel hogs were sourced from an ASF-free farm and will be monitored weekly from day 7 to day 35 from the day of distribution. At day 40, blood samples will be collected from representative samples of the herd using the guideline indicated in BAI Memorandum Circular 44 series of 2021.
If results of representative animals tested negative, the eligible farmer may opt to proceed to slaughter, further fattening or use as breeders.
Upon completion of procedures during the sentinel period, the city may upgrade from red zone to pink zonbe after the required documentary requirements have been submitted to DA-RFO IX.
City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said “the only way we will be able to make the hog sentinelling successful is through the implementation of strict biosecurity measures in the farm.”
(News & photo courtesy of OCVET | add’l photos from Rhea Falcasantos)