Measures to prevent the spread of livestock diseases, such as PRRS, are now being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture (DA), reports SunStar.

Dr Jerry Sabado, DA-Regional Animal Health Coordinator, claimed this is despite the negative test results for several suspected cases of PRRS in Asipulo, Ifugao.

It is during this time of the year that the disease usually starts to attack locally raised hogs in all provinces in the region, he said. In the years 2009 and 2010 alone, the agency declared an outbreak as confirmed cases reached as high as 476 and 314, respectively.

Dr Sabado claimed this resulted to a decrease in supply affecting the local hog-raising industry, killing 135 hogs in 2010 alone.

Contrary to earlier reports, there were 700 suspected cases in the region from December 2010 to 3 February. However, Dr Sabado claimed there are no confirmed cases yet. This is because they have been giving vaccines and other biologics to prevent the further spread of the disease.

He warned it is not safe and not recommended to butcher a pig stricken by PRRS. Although the PRRS virus does not affect humans, contamination of the pork meat may occur during the time the animal died up to consumption.

He also warned the onset of PRRS also means the existence of hog cholera. Dr Sabado reported 90 per cent of hogs screened in the laboratory for PRRS are also affected by hog cholera.

This is just among the livestock diseases the agency has been monitoring closely, together with blackleg, anthrax, swine flu, foot and mouth disease and other deadly diseases.

The SunStar report concludes that Dr Sabado added livestock diseases should immediately be reported to their office for verification to avoid an epidemic that eventually will lead to the entire industry being affected.

Further Reading

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Find out more information on porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) by clicking here.