ASF reaches Cavite, Nueva Ecija; new cases in Pangasinan

MANILA, Philippines – African swine fever (ASF) has reached the southern part of Luzon even as the government scrambles to contain the disease, which threatens the P260-billion hog industry.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar yesterday confirmed that pigs in two barangays in Dasmariñas, Cavite and in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija tested positive for ASF.

“These add to affected areas in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite and Quezon City,” Dar told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippines-India Trade Consultation.

“The analysis is still ongoing as to how it reached (Dasmariñas) since Rizal was the first ground zero,” he said.

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said 21 pigs in Barangays Emmanuel Bergado and Salawag died of ASF.

“We are doing a one-kilometer sweep of both farms... There is another quarantine zone that is for strict observation,” Remulla said.

He said the affected farms could have used swill feeding.

”Those using commercial feeds were not affected because of strict biosecurity hazards... In swill feeding, we do not have control,” Remulla said.

He said pigs in Cavite need to undergo blood tests before a certificate to transport them would be issued.

The Dasmariñas City government is giving P2,000 per culled pig. The provincial government is adding another P2,000 aside from the P5,000 to be given by the Department of Agriculture.

Pangasinan hogs

In Pangasinan, 30 hogs in Barangay Apalen in Bayambang tested positive for ASF.

Apalen is outside the 10-kilometer radius of Barangay Baloling in Mapandan, where ASF in Pangasinan was first reported. The affected pigs came from Bulacan.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino said he directed the provincial task force on ASF to follow the measures it implemented in Mapandan to prevent the spread of ASF.

Espino reiterated his call for municipal and barangay officials to be more vigilant to prevent the entry of infected pigs and monitor the swine industry in their areas.

The DA said ASF is confirmed in 24 areas nationwide.

At least 52,000 pigs, which is 0.4 percent of the 12.8 million hog population nationwide, have been culled.

Online traders

Meanwhile, Dar warned online traders on the sale of processed meat from ASF-affected countries.

“Authorities should confiscate the items and ban the seller... The laws are clear because it has something to do with food safety... They have to be implemented,” he said.

Dar warned those who continue with the illegal trade of banned items face charges.