Abra declares ASF outbreak

In March this year, an ASF outbreak was declared in Malibcong where continued testing and surveillance were conducted

BAGUIO CITY — The Provincial government of Abra has declared an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in its three municipalities as more cases of infections among their wild pig population were recorded recently.

In a statement, Abra Governor Maria Jocelyn Valera-Bernos said that the ASF was noted in the municipalities of Malibcong, Daguioman and Tineg and the virus has been affecting the wild pigs or “boka” or “alingo” as called by the locals.

Bernos stressed that the declaration of the outbreak is part of the prevention and control measures against the ASF to avoid spreading to the other municipalities.

She added that the transboundary animal disease was confirmed to affect wild pigs in Comia-as forest in the municipality of Malibcong bordering the province of Kalinga.

In March this year, an ASF outbreak was declared in Malibcong, where continued testing and surveillance were conducted and it was confirmed that ASF infections were present among wild and native pigs in Tineg and Daguioman.

The provincial government then ordered the regular disease monitoring, surveillance and investigations of swine production and hog raising, including slaughtering and butchering activities within, and along the surrounding areas of ASF-infected areas.

Quarantine areas were also identified in the province. In accordance to national guidance on ASF control, the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist ordered the banning of transporting or swine, swine products and by products including wild pigs within 500 meters from ASF infected areas that are placed under quarantine areas.