Pigs intercepted in Valenzuela test positive for ASF – DA

MANILA, Philippines — Some of the pigs intercepted at a Valenzuela City checkpoint recently tested positive for African swine fever and were culled and buried to curb the spread of ASF, the Department of Agriculture reported yesterday.

The DA said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed through tests that 11 hogs carried by a truck intercepted by authorities in Valenzuela on Saturday were positive for ASF.

The BAI noted that even before the blood tests, the pigs showed clinical signs of ASF.

“The pigs were condemned and buried as part of the disease containment measures,” the DA said in a statement.

The other 38 pigs transported by a different truck, which was intercepted by authorities at a checkpoint in Quezon City tested negative for ASF.

The BAI allowed the pigs to be slaughtered immediately for market sale and consumption.

The government has intensified measures to stop the transport of sick animals, especially those with clinical signs of ASF and falsified documents, to prevent the spread of the fatal hog disease following a resurgence of cases in Batangas.

The government set up checkpoints: two in Quezon City, two in Valenzuela, one in Laguna, one in Batangas and another one in Cavite.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Constante Palabrica reminded the public that “all permits must be valid and animals showing any signs of illness need to be tested.”

The DA urged hog traders and transporters to comply with regulations to avoid the spread of ASF and protect the swine industry.

ASF is a disease fatal to pigs, but not harmful to humans.

The disease has spread across 74 provinces in 17 regions nationwide, according to the BAI.

As of Aug. 8, 64 municipalities in 22 provinces have confirmed ASF cases, the bureau said.