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GIS:
supporting prevention and treatment of carabao diseases in
Eastern Samar |
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Fasciolosis
(fluke infection), hemorrhagic septicemia, and muscle worm
infection were some of the carabao diseases prevalent but
unmonitored in Eastern Samar.
Insufficient
data on the occurrence, type and sources of these diseases,
and the lack of necessary tools and resources prevented the
province from properly addressing the real causes of carabao
epidemics.
Complicating
the problem was the lack of protocols on the management, analysis
and presentation of data to support prevention and eradication
policies.
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To address these issues, researchers at the Eastern
Samar State University (ESSU) led by F.A. Afable implemented
a project to: (i) characterize carabao production practices;
(ii) determine the incidence of carabao diseases; and
(iii) map the areas vulnerable to these diseases in
the towns of Dolores, Oras, Jipapad and Maslog (DOJPM)
through Geographic Information System (GIS).
Results
of the GIS mapping revealed that DOJPM had high incidences
of fasciolosis, trypanosomiasis,hemorrhagic
septicemia, and muscle worm infestation. Interior barangays,
particularly those along the river systems of Dolores
and Oras, were found most vulnerable to diseases.
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The
poblacion barangays of Dolores and Oras as well as the island
barangays were relatively free of diseases.
The
study noted that the carabaos were still raised the traditional
way, although many farmers were already availing of vitamin/mineral
supplementation, vaccination and other health-related services
for their animals. Prevention and treatment of diseases were
generally weak due to the unavailability of laboratory facilities
and veterinarians in remote barangays.
The
study recommended that veterinary health services be intensified
in the four sites especially in the interior barangays. It
added that the maps generated by the GIS should be used to
determine the epidemiology of carabao diseases and predict
future occurrences of animal diseases.
Data
on carabao diseases should be regularly gathered and incorporated
in the database for an accurate diagnosis of carabao diseases
and identification of appropriate treatments. This would eventually
lead to higher farmers’ confidence and trust on government
technicians.
The
project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology
Region VIII. (Jerosalem Arguzon-Marquez, S&T Media Service)
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Copyright
© 2001
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources
Research and Development
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (63-049) 536-0014 to 536-0015/ 536-0017 to 536-0020 &
536-0024
Fax Nos. (63-049) 536-0016/ 536-0132
E-mail: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
All Rights
Reserved.
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