on that "Alleged Swine Mortality" in Sta. Rita, Samar

News had it that hog cholera hit some barangays in Sta. Rita, Samar. The City Veterinarian, Dr. Dick Balmes yesterday informed me that Calbayog is not affected by the incident. He provided me a copy of an "Investigation Report on the Alleged Swine Mortality in the Municipality of Sta. Rita, Samar on January 23, 2009". The report was signed by Dr. Andrew Orais, the Regional GMA-LP Coordinator and duly noted by Leo Cañeda, the DA Regional Executive Director.

Here's the report:

A Veterinary Team composed of Technical Staff of the Regional Operations Division and the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Sta. Rita conducted an investigation on the alleged swine mortalities on January 23, 2009 after receiving report from the Province of Samar indicating occurrence of Hog Cholera in this municipality.

The findings of the investigation, based on the history, on-field observation, actual and ocular examination of active cases and laboratory examinations, are the following:

• Initial cases were observed in sitio Lourdes of Brgy. Old Manunca, Sta. Rita, Samar on December 8, 2009 affecting 50 pigs.
• The clinical signs include inappetence, high fever ranging from 40.5 to 42.7 degrees centigrade, diarrhea, some manifested nasal discharge and conjunctivitis, some died suddenly without showing any signs. Clinical course lasts fro about 3 days commencing with loss of appetite, high fever causing affected pigs to chill and end up to death.
• There were a total of 221 pig mortalities as of January 23, 2009.
• Active cases were observed in 6 barangays.
• Clinical signs were highly suggestive for a mixed infections of viral and bacterial origin.
• The liver and spleen tissues submitted to RADDL revealed positive for Salmonella sp.
• Drug of choice based on sensitivity test conducted by RADDL were Trimethoprim and Oxytetracycline.
• Based on clinical signs and other supporting findings, there is indeed an occurrence of mixed infections of Hog cholera and Salmonellosis in this municipality with sudden change of climate, extended rainfall and others as among the predisposing factors.

Blood samples were collected to be submitted to (the) Philippine Animal Health Center in Quezon city to further examine for the presence of other pathogen and for confirmatory diagnosis.

The DA -RFU 8 provided initial 250 doses of antibiotics to treat active cases and prophylaxis of exposed pigs. Also, 280 doses of vitamins and minerals were provided serving as support medication.

Our group convened this morning to lay out final courses of action to contain this recent swine disease outbreak the soonest possible time. discussion on the proposal of the LGU regarding the advisory on the control of movement of pigs and the prevention of additional drugs and biologics was finalized.