As a prelude for hog repopulation on the African Swine Fever (ASF) – hit municipalities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Caraga Regional ASF Task Force delivered “sentinel piglets” to the Municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel, in the province of Surigao del Sur, January 28.

The sentineling program or protocol is a science-based approach, which ascertains if a virus or disease is still present in a certain area. For an ASF-hit area to be endorsed for sentineling, there should be no detected cases and reports of related swine deaths for approximately 12 months period. The piglets will undergo a 40 days’ experimental period including its downtime and environmental swabbing guaranteeing that affected hog raisers must conform to the Biosecurity Level 1. Once completed, the area will then be subjected to repopulation.

In Barangay Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, 16 piglets were distributed to eight (8) hog raisers meanwhile, in Barangay Magruyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, 17 piglets were apportioned to 17 affected hog raisers.

According to Regional ASF Coordinator Dr. Apple C. Jaromahum, the Municipalities of Cortes, and San Miguel were the first areas where the virus was detected, however, the areas were quick to contain and mitigate the further spreading of the virus.

“After that first detected case of ASF in Barangay Matho, Cortes last November 2020 and Barangay Magruyong, San Miguel last February 2021, there was no reported reoccurring of cases since then. This is the reason why these municipalities were endorsed to lift their infected zone (red) status in the National Zoning Map to buffer zone (pink), only if the affected hog raisers were able to implement and follow the standard Biosecurity Measure,” Jaromahum said.

Regional Technical Director Rebecca Atega also lauds the efforts of the municipalities of Cortes and San Miguel for their quick response and cooperation.

“On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, we congratulate our LGUs for being supportive and compliant with all of the regulatory measures and the quick assistance to our affected hog raisers. And most definitely to our hog raisers who gave their utmost cooperation and for being extra patient despite the circumstances and losses. That’s why we are very optimistic that this will be successful because of your efforts,” RTD Atega said.

Elisabeth Lavilla, one of the affected hog raisers from Barangay Matho shared her excitement for the sentineling protocol.

“I am excited and hopeful that finally after more than a year of sacrifice, we have not recorded any confirmed case nor swine death. I am just excited to recover all of that losses because of the ASF and hoping that we gradually come back to our normal livelihood,” Lavilla said.

Apart from the piglets, the Regional Livestock Program also apportioned feeds and necessary drugs, biologics, and anti-viral agents for the recipients. Moreover, another batch of sentinel pigs is set to be delivered in the Municipality of Loreto, Agusan del Sur on the following week. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, DA-13 RAFIS)