April 12, 2022

ASF incidence in Philippines tapering, says agriculture department

The incidence of African swine fever (ASF) in the Philippines has substantially waned after the outbreak was first detected in 2019, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Data from the DA showed that, as of March 31, active cases of disease were now reported in only two regions, four provinces, seven municipalities and 20 barangays. This was a significant reduction from a high of 3,657 barangays in 678 cities and municipalities in 51 provinces recorded since 2019.

Reildrin Morales, director of the Bureau of Animal Industry, said over 500 municipalities and cities across the Philippines have not reported new cases of ASF over the "last three to six months and even longer."

Likewise, 64 municipalities received the upgrade of their status from red to pink, meaning these are cleared of the animal disease.

Separately, Philippines Agriculture Secretary William Dar said newly manufactured vaccines against ASF were undergoing testing. He did not disclose the entity that developed the ASF vaccine.

"The first result of the vaccine trials have shown encouraging results," Dar told reporters. He said the agency would recommend to the next administration the massive inoculation of affected hogs if the second part of the vaccine trial yields a positive outcome.

The government has collaborated with private companies in the past to test possible vaccines on commercial hog farms.

- Inquirer.net