ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The shipment of hogs and pork products in the city has been banned following the death of several pigs due to suspected African swine fever (ASF).
Bayani Arnedo, assistant city veterinarian, said unusual swine deaths, which were reported in four villages on April 30, spread to two other barangays.
He said the city ASF task force working group was convened on Wednesday to look into the ”mysterious” swine deaths.
“Upon receiving reports of animal mortalities from Barangays Pasonanca, Mangusu and Pasobolong, we immediately dispatched a surveillance team to conduct the necessary disease investigation and blood sampling activities,” Arnedo said.
The samples were sent to the Department of Agriculture Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Unfortunately, feedback from the laboratory showed that three samples were positive,” Arnedo said.
He said it has yet to be confirmed if the hogs died of ASF as three other swine diseases have similar symptoms.
“There is no differentiation because ASF, hog cholera and porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome have similar symptoms,” Arnedo said.
Zamboanga Sibugay had earlier reported ASF cases in R.T. Lim, Titay, Buug, Alicia and Ipil towns.