Cebu City Sets Aside P1M for Medicines to Protect Livestock from El Niño

(PNA) — The Cebu City Government has set aside PHP1 million to buy medicines that will protect the city’s livestock supply from the effects of the mild El Niño.

Cebu City Veterinarian Dr. Pilar Romero said the medicines include vaccines against hemorrhagic septicemia that afflicts cattle, horses and swine to keep them from bleeding and acquiring other diseases.

Pilar said they will also buy vitamin supplements and medicines for deworming.

She said hemorrhagic septicemia is an acute, highly fatal form of pasteurellosis that affects mainly cattle.

The disease is most devastating to smallholder farmers where husbandry and preventive practices are poor and free-range management is common.

Romero said they will distribute the vaccines to protect farm animals from the disease, which is prevalent during the dry season.

Romero said the Animal Health Division of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) is regularly monitoring the status of livestock in the upland barangays.

But Romero said there is no report yet of ailing animals in the hilly barangays.

Romero also advised those raising animals to build barns or shades to protect their animals from intense heat. (PNA) FFC/EB