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While there continues to be a lot of media speculation, as of now the Philippines has not announced finding any African Swine Fever positive pigs in their country, although reports of unusually high pig mortality continue to come in.
Two days ago, in Philippines Dept. of Agriculture Statements On Unidentified Swine Disease, the Acting Secretary of Agriculture announced that samples had been sent to an outside laboratory for analysis, and that enhanced surveillance had been ordered in affected areas.In an update posted yesterday on the Department of Agriculture's website ((DA) Bulletin No. 2: Abnormal Swine Deaths in Backyard Farms), the agency cautioned:
DA-BAI experts said several diseases can be associated with said clinical signs. Thus, further confirmation is needed from a recognized foreign reference laboratory in Europe.It isn't clear what would account for a minimum two-week delay in receiving test results. Normally, PCR testing only takes a few hours, according to the FAO's AFRICAN SWINE FEVER:DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS manual for Veterinarians.
We expect to receive the results at the earliest, in two weeks, or at the latest, three months.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect the ASFV genome in porcine samples (blood, organs, etc.) and ticks. Small fragments of viral DNA are amplified by PCR to detectable quanti-ties. All validated PCR tests allow viral DNA detection even before the appearance of clinical signs. PCR enables the diagnosis of ASF to be made within hours of sample arrival to the laboratory. PCR provides a sensitive, specific, and rapid alternative to virus isolation for the detection of ASFV. PCR provides higher sensitivity and specificity than alternative methods for antigen detection, such as the antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT).Meanwhile, the Philippines News Agency reports that some government officials are urging congressional action in order to prepare for a `worst-case' agricultural disaster.
MANILA -- Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday said the government should come up with mitigation measures to prevent a “financial disaster” in the event of a possible outbreak of the African swine fever (ASF) in the country.
In a statement, Recto said the PHP280 billion a year hog industry deserves calamity aid in the event of a local outbreak.
“I think that a study group should be convened to assess the financial fallout in the event of a worst-case scenario. Next to rice, the hog industry is the biggest in agriculture in terms of value. It is also the 8th biggest in the world,” Recto said.
“We must be ahead of the curve. Dapat ready tayo (We should be ready) for every imaginable scenario. Kung mayroong (If there is) mass culling, ano ang tulong na dapat ibigay doon sa mga (what kind of assistance do we have to extend to) hog raisers?” Recto said.
Recto said appropriating allocations for the assistance package for the dependents of the local hog industry is “beyond the mandate” of the Department of Agriculture, noting that such a move requires the help of Congress.
“It is something that is discussed in the highest levels of government, in the Cabinet, in both houses of Congress, more so if it requires a huge amount of money and bridge financing,” Recto said.
Recto noted that the hog industry is the 8th biggest in the world by volume with annual production nearing 2.3 metric tons so any production disruption will be felt on Filipino dining tables.
“Remember, this is the land of lechon, the national fiesta food; adobo, the national comfort food; sisig, is one of the pambasang pulutans; and longganisa and tocino are the breakfast of champions,” Recto said. (PNA)
Also from the Philippines News Agency, we get details on the Agriculture Department's recent orders to the farmers and slaughter house regarding food safety and biosecurity.
MANILA -- Agriculture Secretary William Dar has ordered the deployment of local government unit meat inspection services (LMIS) enforcement teams to closely monitor all public and private meat markets and outlets in view of the reported increase in swine mortalities in Bulacan and Rizal provinces.
In his Administrative Order signed on Tuesday (August 20) but was issued to the media on Thursday, Dar also directed all provincial/city/municipal veterinary officers to continue implementing precautionary measures to ensure food safety and food security.
Such measures include the prohibition of transporting of live animals, meat products, and meat by-products unless accompanied by veterinary health certificate (VHC) issued by a licensed veterinarian and shipping permit (SP) issued by Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and its regional veterinary quarantine offices; and the setting up of quarantine checkpoints in all ingress and egress from their respective provinces and municipalities.
They were also ordered to report to the BAI any unusual number of swine mortalities in their respective locality; and educate swine farmers to observe good animal husbandry practices and biosecurity measures such as putting foot baths, regular disinfection of farms, vaccination, and deworming.
"All animals brought to the slaughterhouse should be checked for fever and signs of diseased conditions. Diseased animals shall be condemned and properly disposed as per BAI procedures," he said.
Plant officers of the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) and deputized LMIS officers were also directed to strictly implement the "no veterinary health certificate, no slaughter policy”.
The DA earlier ordered the culling of all hogs -- infected or not -- within a one-kilometer (km) radius of infected farms in view of the reported presence of a swine disease.
The BAI and DA regional field offices were implementing the 1-7-10 protocol in managing, containing, and controlling the suspected disease or diseases, which means that all pigs within the 1-kilometer radius of infected farms will be culled.
For swine farms within a 7-kilometer radius, the BAI and concerned regional field offices would conduct surveillance procedures, test animals to determine the extent of the infection, and limit animal movement.
On the other hand, swine farms within a 10-kilometer radius will be required to submit a mandatory report on the disease.
The DA also prohibited swill feeding among hogs, especially among backyard raisers.
Feeding hogs with food leftovers, or swill, poses a heightened risk of foot-and-mouth disease, or even African swine fever (ASF).
DA said the widespread practice of swill feeding needs to be replaced by more effective modern feeds and technologies. (PNA)
There are, admittedly a lot of diseases that could be causing excess swine mortality in the Philippines, including FMD, PED & PRRS - along with environmental factors, such as excessive heat or contaminated feed.
But with ASF's rapid spread over the past 12 months across all of China, Vietnam, Mongolia, and into Cambodia, Laos, and North Korea - until it can be ruled out - ASF must remain at the top of their suspect list.
