March 10, 2020

First case of African Swine Fever in Philippine province kills 30 pigs

The first case of African swine fever (ASF) killed 30 pigs in a local farm in Barangay Cadaclan, San Fernando, La Union, the city government confirmed on March 8.

"We immediately managed precautionary measures to control the spread of ASF in the city," said Dr Flosie Decena, city veterinary officer.

The precautionary steps to manage and control the spread of ASF include the pre-emptive culling of hogs at ground zero and within 1-km radius, mapping the barangays within the 7-km radius, augmenting hygiene kits and also providing financial assistance to the backyard hog raisers.

"This was done Saturday night to take an immediate action from the city along with the Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Government of La Union," Decena added.

According to an initial report, Decena said the owner of the said farm accepted several piglets last January from a friend in Bauang town to raise and sell not knowing that these did not pass veterinary inspection.

The piglets died one by one until the city veterinarian discovered that the animals were infected by ASF.

The City Health Office assured the public that ASF is not transmissible to humans, hence is not a human health threat. The office also guaranteed that all pork sold in the auxiliary wet market are thoroughly inspected by the city veterinarian. They advised the public to practice proper food handling, remain calm and refrain from sharing false information.