5 of 41 hogs vaccinated vs ASF died – DA

MANILA, Philippines — Five of the 41 hogs covered by the vaccination trial against African swine fever (ASF) in Lobo, Batangas have died, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the hogs did not die from the effects of the vaccine, but due to pulmonary diseases.

“Apparently, these pigs have conditions prior to the vaccination. The pigs tested negative for ASF. They died of pulmonary diseases,” De Mesa said.

He said prior to the vaccination, the DA required hogs to undergo testing for ASF.

Only those that tested negative for the virus were vaccinated.

The DA also required hogs to be healthy and the backyard farms to have a good biosecurity.

“Apparently, we were not properly informed (about the condition of the five pigs),” he said.

The DA started vaccinating pigs in Lobo on Aug. 30, using 10,000 doses of ASF vaccine purchased through emergency procurement.

De Mesa did not confirm if the number of hogs inoculated with ASF vaccine has been increased.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. approved the release of P350 million for the procurement of 600,000 doses of ASF vaccine amid reported outbreaks in the country.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed the number of ASF-affected barangays have increased from 458 to 472.