New ASF cases reported in Tarlac, Bataan

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines  – African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread in Luzon, with new cases confirmed in Tarlac and Bataan.

Mayor Angela Garcia of Dinalupihan, Bataan said hogs in four barangays in her town tested positive for the swine disease.

Garcia did not identify the barangays, saying the provincial veterinary office and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) are monitoring other areas that could be affected by ASF.

“We are coordinating with authorities on how to control, contain and manage the situation... We are asking the public for their cooperation,” she said.

At least 30 pigs in Sitio Parapal, Barangay Mabiga in Hermosa were culled to prevent the spread of ASF, municipal administrator Rex Jorge told The STAR.

Jorge said they are verifying reports that piggeries in six other barangays were affected by ASF.

In Tarlac, provincial veterinarian Lorna Baculanta said pigs in backyard piggeries in five barangays in Victoria town tested positive for ASF. 

Baculanta said culling was conducted in Barangays Baculong and Poblacion.

Pigs in Barangays Matayumtayum, Lalapac and Cabuluan were also reportedly culled due to suspected ASF.

Baculanta said the affected pigs reportedly came from Nueva Ecija.

In Pangasinan, 21 pigs in Barangay Linoc, Binmaley that tested positive for ASF were culled this week. The pigs were within the one-kilometer radius of a piggery wherein 34 pigs died last week.

Municipal agriculturist Fernando Ferrer said hogs in Barangays Canaoalan, Gayaman and Poblacion are also being monitored.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the problem with ASF in the country persists due to hog raisers who trade affected pigs.

“Hog raisers are still trading sick pigs, butchering and transporting them to other provinces... That is how it is spreading. The outbreak areas are still there,” Dar said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s OneNews on Wednesday.

The BAI said more than 600 barangays in Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Tarlac, Rizal, Cavite, Pangasinan and parts of Metro Manila were affected by ASF last year.

Around 150,000 hogs, of which 121,331 were from backyard piggeries, have been culled since August. – With Raffy Viray, Eva Visperas, Louise Maureen Simeon