June 20, 2023

 

Philippines ASF outbreak: First case confirmed in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan province

 

 

Veterinarians in Malay town, Aklan province, the Philippines, have reported the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Barangay Caticlan.

 

As ASF infection in Aklan province climbed to cover nine of 17 towns, the local government and the private organisation of hog raisers urged a temporary shift to poultry production. However, the move would require financial and technical aid for at least 341 affected households.

 

Provincial Agriculture Chief Alexys Apolonio said his office is currently coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Western Visayas and other national government agencies.

 

"Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores has already talked with the DSWD-Western Visayas and national government agencies for support. We are waiting for such now," Apolonio said during the Kapihan sa Aklan Forum on June 17.

 

Dr. Maria Cyrosa Leen Mabel Siñel, head of the Office of the Veterinarian (OPVET), said the province has culled at least 2,290 hogs.

 

The shift to poultry production could give local governments space and time to adopt the best practices in rolling back ASF while ensuring farmers still have income.

 

The provincial board declared the state of calamity on May 19. It approved the use of monies from a 'calamity fund' to support the campaign against ASF.

 

Provincial board bember Nemesio Neron, chair of the committee of agriculture, at the same forum said that ₱3 million (US$53,802) will be used by the province for administrative costs in the campaign against ASF.

 

"The remaining ₱7 million (US$125,538) will be used as financial assistance for the hog raisers affected," he added.

 

The towns with ASF are Balete, Batan, New Washington, Makato, Tangalan, Numancia, Lezo, Ibajay and Malay.

 

"We are looking at the best practice of Balete, Aklan in combat against the ASF," Sinel said. "They were the first one who had been infested, but they immediately prevented its spread. Other towns in Aklan have several affected barangays and are still spreading."

  

In Balete, Sinel said the two towns that reported ASF cases implemented 24-hour lockdowns for entry and exit of hogs.

 

"Other barangays in Aklan failed to secure their areas at night time; the in and out of hogs at night has been reported contributing to the outbreak," the provincial veterinarian pointed out.

 

Jun Agravante, head of the Aklan Hog Raisers Association, said the association is encouraging hog raisers to shift to poultry raising while the province struggles to end the ASF outbreak.

 

Agravante said farmers can choose two types of poultry. One is ready-to-lay (RTL) hens, those that are mature enough – from 16 weeks to 20 weeks old – to lay eggs, with peak production in the first two years.

 

There is also the option of conventional raising of poultry for meat, a cycle that on the average involves eight weeks.

 

Providing financial aid for the shift is crucial, Agravante said, as culling cuts deep into farmers' income.

 

– Rappler