The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol is calling for urgent cooperation from local government units (LGUs) as African Swine Fever (ASF) cases resurface in 12 municipalities across three provinces.
DA Bicol Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Section head Lovella Guarin, reported that seven towns in Camarines Sur—Baao, Pili, Nabua, Ocampo, Bula, Libmanan, and Presentacion—have confirmed ASF cases from July to August 2024.
In Catanduanes, ASF re-emerged in the municipalities of Caramoran, Virac, and Pandan, affecting three barangays. Meanwhile, Masbate’s Claveria and San Pascual towns also reported active cases this August.
To curb the spread of ASF, DA Bicol and the affected LGUs have initiated the depopulation of hogs within a 500-meter radius of the outbreak sites. A total of 209 swine have been culled between July and August 2024.
Eleven other Bicol municipalities remain classified as ASF red zones despite the absence of new cases for over 90 days. These areas include Camaligan in Camarines Sur; Labo, Daet, Mercedes, San Vicente, and Talisay in Camarines Norte; San Jacinto, Milagros, Mobo, and San Fernando in Masbate; and Donsol in Sorsogon. These LGUs must submit the necessary documents to be reclassified as pink zones.
Guarin emphasized the critical role of the public in preventing ASF, noting that some outbreaks were traced to contaminated processed meat intercepted by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). She cautioned against buying processed meat from unknown sources, as it may originate from infected areas.
Safe meat, Guarin stressed, comes from animals slaughtered in accredited facilities. She also warned meat processors against sourcing meat from ASF-affected areas or using “double-dead” meat from pigs that died of disease, particularly ASF.
DA Bicol highlighted that hog raisers are crucial in the fight against ASF. The department urged them to adopt best practices, including regular cleaning and disinfection of pig pens with chlorine or DIY disinfectants like vinegar, soda ash, and bleach solutions.
Limiting visitors to hog farms and avoiding the feeding of kitchen waste, which could be contaminated, were also recommended.
Guarin noted that recent ASF cases presented atypical symptoms. Infected hogs exhibited a loss of appetite followed by sudden death, rather than the usual signs like discolored skin, high fever, and respiratory issues.
Any unusual symptoms should be reported immediately to the Municipal Agriculture Office for prompt blood testing at the DA Bicol Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL).
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