January 18, 2021

Philippines confirms first ASF case in Eastern Visayas

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed the existence of African swine fever (ASF) in Eastern Visayas region, particularly in Abuyog town, Leyte province, Inquirer.net reported.

According to Angel Enriquez, DA regional director, ASF has affected the villages of Can-aporong and Bunga where unusual swine mortalities involving backyard farms were observed during the second half of December 2020. Quarantine checkpoints in the boundaries of Abuyog, Leyte were immediately implemented to control swine movement from January 14 to Feburary 15.

It is not yet clear how many swine were affected by ASF and how they became infected and the DA is conducting further investigation.