ASF cases declining – BAI

MANILA, Philippines — Outbreaks of African swine fever continue to go down after only 467 barangays recorded ASF cases from the previous 534, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry.

The BAI yesterday said that as of Nov. 8, cases of ASF were recorded in six regions, 21 provinces and 106 municipalities.

A report released on Oct. 18 showed recorded cases in 10 regions, 25 provinces and 108 municipalities.

Outbreaks were recorded in 144 barangays in North Cotabato, 67 in Batangas, 55 in Camarines Sur, 46 in La Union, 29 in Abra, 28 in Cavite, 18 in Ilocos Sur, 17 in Ifugao, 14 in Kalinga, 12 in Quezon province and nine in Laguna.

Other outbreaks were recorded in Occidental Mindoro with six affected barangays; Catanduanes, five; Camarines Norte, Oriental Mindoro and Sorsogon, two each, and Sultan Kudarat and Rizal with one barangay each.

“At least 431 cities and municipalities were upgraded to pink or buffer zone from red or infected zone and 103 cities and municipalities to yellow or surveillance from pink zone,” the BAI said.

Arnel de Mesa, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the increase in the retail price of pork could be attributed to ASF outbreaks and high demand  as the holidays are nearing.

De Mesa said hog and swine raisers have started to recover from the effects of ASF.

Based on the monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, the retail price of pork shoulder or kasim ranged between P270 and P360 per kilo, and pork belly or liempo between P330 and P400 per kilo.