3 towns in Occidental Mindoro now ASF-free

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said that several towns in Occidental Mindoro are now free from the African swine fever (ASF).

The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said that the latest analysis of blood samples from pigs in three towns showed negative results for the disease.

“Last week, the province of Occidental Mindoro set up meat inspection checkpoints and quarantined producers after announcing an ASF outbreak in the towns of San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Rizal,” the BAI said in a statement on Friday.

“The tests, conducted at the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, confirmed the absence of ASF in the local pig population,” it said.

The bureau also said that recent blood tests were carried out to obtain Recognition of Active Surveillance on ASF (RASASF), indicating that there are no active cases of ASF in the area.

After receiving the negative result of the blood tests, the local governments have proactively sought the RAS-ASF from BAI which is also essential for permitting the transportation of pigs in Occidental Mindoro.

“This measure is implemented to prevent the potential spread of ASF and maintain the biosecurity of pig farms in the province,” said BAI.

The bureau emphasized the collaboration between the DA-BAI, local government units, and various agencies on the success in mitigating the spread of ASF.

“This underscores the importance of coordinated actions in addressing and preventing the outbreak of infectious animal diseases,” it said.

Latest report from the BAI showed that as of January 19, ASF is present in 21 provinces from 12 regions in the country.

Affected provinces include Abra, Apayao, La Union, Cagayan, Zambales, Quezon, Laguna, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Misamis Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.

Earlier, the DA said that it is streamlining the process to expedite trials and approvals of the vaccine to be released for the hog industry.

In 2019, before the ASF hit the Philippines, the swine population of the country was estimated at around 13 million heads but this went down to around 10 million, with imported pork filling the gap.