Barangays with active ASF cases now 458

MANILA, Philippines — The number of barangays with active cases of African swine fever (ASF) has increased by at least 200 within a span of two weeks, including new confirmed cases in Northern Luzon.

Latest data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that as of Aug. 21, there were 458 barangays across 115 municipalities in 32 provinces that reported ASF cases.

The figure is higher by 207 than the 251 barangays reported on Aug. 8.

BAI, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), updates its animal disease situation report every two weeks.

North Cotabato has the most number of active cases with 87 followed by Occidental Mindoro with 69 and Batangas with 66, according to the BAI data.

The agency confirmed new ASF cases in 10 more provinces across four regions during the reference period.

In Batangas alone, the number of cases has more than doubled to 66 from 32 previously, the BAI said.

Agriculture officials attributed the spike in the cases to rains and floods that exposed buried ASF-infected pigs, resulting in the contamination of waterways and spread of the virus.

They said that unscrupulous traders continue to transport sick pigs from areas with confirmed cases.

“It is very lucrative to transport (sick) pigs because traders buy these at a low price and sell these at higher prices,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Constante Palabrica said.

The DA advised the public, particularly hog raisers, to ensure that ASF-infected dead hogs are buried at least 10 feet deep and covered with plastic or a high-density polyethylene material to protect the water table from pollution.

DA officials urged local government units to set up checkpoints in their jurisdictions to prevent the transport of undocumented and sick pigs.

The DA has set up additional checkpoints in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon. From six, the number of DA-operated checkpoints in these regions is now 12.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the BAI would start vaccinating pigs in Batangas on Aug. 30, or three days ahead of the original schedule on Sept. 2.

De Mesa said the initial vaccination would involve 2,000 doses of ASF vaccine.

He said the DA is planning to file charges against traders caught transporting pigs with falsified documents as well as ASF-infected hogs.

The agency gave assurance that the country has adequate supply of pork.

It urged consumers to buy pork and pork products that have been inspected by the National Meat Inspection Service.

The DA said it is safe to consume pork as ASF does not pose a threat to humans.