ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVEt) is now coordinating with the barangays, where the unusual mortalities of pigs were recorded the past few days.

This, after the OCVEt logged a number of pigs died under strange or unusual condition in the barangays of Pasonanca, Pasobolong, and Mangusu from April 30 to May 10, this year.

The African Swine Flu - Task Force Working Group  (ASF-TWG) has decided to closely coordinate with the affected areas and to conduct farm visitation, blood sampling, animal inventory, information and education campaign (IEC) on ASF and other reportable animal diseases.

“The OCVet surveillance team is continuously monitoring reports of swine mortalities for investigation, and the office had also submitted blood samples to the Department of Agriculture to determine the cause or causes of pig deaths,” Assistant City Veterinarian Arnedo Agbayani said during the convention of the Zamboanga City ASF-TWG recently.

Agbayani also added that geo-tagging was also conducted, including inventory of animals and disinfection of slaughterhouses and pig farms as part of the government’s “Babay ASF” or “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” Program with the support of DA-9.

Further, the strengthening of the city’s border control checkpoints in Licomo (East) and Limpapa (West) is ongoing, while the other ASF enforcers continue to monitor the entry of animal products through the airport and seaport. (RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City/Photo Courtesy of OCVEt and with reports from the City Government of Zamboanga)