ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has placed this city under red zone after an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was recorded in five barangays.
The BAI issued the declaration, citing a circular issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on national zoning and movement plan to prevent and control the spread of the swine disease.
Confirmatory tests of blood samples showed that hogs in the area were positive for ASF.
City veterinarian Mario Ariola said hog farms in Sitio Canucutan in Barangay Pasonanca, Sitio Udjong in Bonguiao, lower and upper Sitios in Mangusu, Sitio Presa in Curuan and Sitio Corote in Manicahan were affected.
He said culling of pigs was conducted in three areas.
The city government mobilized its Barangay Health Emergency Response Team to assist in the monitoring of affected areas.
Zamboanga City ranked third among ASF-hit areas in the country after Midsayap and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato.