Number of ASF-affected barangays declining – DA

MANILA, Philippines —   The number of barangays that reported cases of African swine fever (ASF) has decreased to 39 from 66 previously, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa attributed the decline in the cases to the active participation of stakeholders in efforts to control the spread of ASF and improve biosecurity.

“As of March 14, the number of barangays with active ASF cases went down to 39, covering 27 municipalities in seven regions. Most of the cases are in Western Visayas, particularly Bohol,” De Mesa said.

He said the outbreak in Calabarzon, particularly in Sta. Maria, Laguna, has been addressed.

De Mesa said the number of barangays that recorded ASF cases peaked to 500 in August last year, following an outbreak in Batangas.

“There are no ASF cases in Batangas now. The last case reported was in Laguna, but it has been controlled,” he said.

Noting this development, De Mesa said the controlled vaccination against the virus was proven successful based on an initial report of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

“The BAI report showed at least 29 hog farmers participated in the controlled ASF vaccination and 28,000 of 160,000 vaccine doses were used during the immunization campaign,” De Mesa noted.

Of the 27,937 hogs inoculated with ASF vaccine, only 51 died.

“We are still waiting for the final report of the BAI. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve the commercial rollout of ASF vaccine from Vietnam by April,” De Mesa said.