ASF cases confirmed in Negros Oriental, Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — African swine fever (ASF) has spread further in Negros Island Region, with confirmed cases now recorded in Negros Oriental and the highly urbanized city of Bacolod.

The spread of ASF has prompted authorities to intensify quarantine measures.

Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria confirmed on Wednesday that blood samples taken from hogs in the town of La Libertad tested positive for ASF.

In Bacolod, city veterinarian Maria Agueda dela Torre reported four ASF cases in the villages of Alijis and Taculing.

Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the establishment of strict quarantine checkpoints to prevent the spread of the disease.

In Negros Occidental, 2,130 hog deaths have been recorded in 13 local government units (LGUs) as of June 30.

Provincial veterinarian Placeda Lemana said that only the town of San Enrique has confirmed ASF cases.

Lemana clarified that not all reported hog deaths were due to ASF. She said most of the dead pigs were buried immediately without laboratory examination.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the 13 ASF-affected LGUs have a combined hog population of 55,961, with reported mortalities accounting for 3.81 percent.

Based on the latest figures, the reported hog mortalities represent only about .65 percent of the province’s total hog inventory, and several barangays have not reported any hog death.