Slight Rise in African Swine Fever (ASF) Cases in the Philippines

Hello Hive friends,

I came across this news recently and thought it would be important to share it here on Hive. As we close out 2024, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has reported a slight increase in active African swine fever (ASF) cases across the Philippines. By December 27, ASF cases were recorded in 21 provinces spanning 11 regions, up from 19 provinces in 10 regions earlier in the month.

Affected Provinces

The provinces currently battling ASF outbreaks include:

• Luzon: Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Zambales, Batangas, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro
• Bicol Region: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon
• Visayas: Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte
• Mindanao: North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur

Government Measures

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has implemented several strategies to control the spread of ASF:

• Vaccination Program: The DA plans to roll out 490,000 doses of ASF vaccines nationwide, with 10,000 doses already distributed and 150,000 doses in the process of being delivered.
• Improved Checkpoints: Strict border checkpoints were established in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders to monitor and contain outbreaks.
• Simplified Zoning System: The DA is revising the zoning classification to reduce the stigma associated with red zones. Under the existing system, red zones indicate confirmed ASF outbreaks, while pink zones are areas adjacent to infected zones.

Transport Policy Adjustments

To support hog raisers, the DA announced that pigs from ASF-infected areas could be transported, provided they undergo testing and show negative results.

Acknowledging Progress

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the progress made in tackling ASF this year, noting that communication and coordination with stakeholders played a crucial role in preventing the widespread escalation of the disease.

A Call for Continued Vigilance

While efforts are underway, the slight increase in ASF cases serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the hog industry and the importance of sustained vigilance and proactive measures.

Let’s hope for a safer and more stable 2025 for our agriculture sector!