January 26, 2024

ASF resurfaces in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) has detected new cases of African swine fever (ASF) in Occidental Mindoro, Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

The DA's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed the presence of the animal disease in three towns supplying swine to Metro Manila and parts of Western Visayas. Despite this, the DA regional field office in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) has reassured that the latest incident is likely to have minimal consequences for swine production.

Blood samples sent to BAI earlier this month confirmed ASF cases in San Jose, Sta. Cruz, and Rizal as of January 17. The agency detected ASF cases in the province on January 12, following reports of an unusual number of swine deaths in certain barangays in Sta Cruz and San Jose. Naujan town is now under tight monitoring after a recurrence of a positive case.

The DA, along with local government units, will be conducting extensive surveillance, swiftly removing infected swine, and implementing preventive culling in affected areas.

ASF cases were initially identified in Oriental Mindoro late last year.

The DA's existing regulations dictate that a town is placed under a red zone even with one barangay (smallest administrative division in the Philippines) showing ASF cases, imposing restrictions on swine movement within the area. Stricter mobility measures are enforced if two or more barangays report positive cases.

The DA is awaiting requests from local government units to activate additional surveillance groups and is prepared to assist affected farmers in indemnifying slaughtered swine.

-        Philippine Daily Inquirer