August 19, 2024

Around 2,000 ASF vaccines set to be launched in Philippines on August 20

Around 2,000 donated African swine fever (ASF) vaccines were set to arrive in the Philippines on August 16 and will be rolled out on August 20, according to Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

Laurel said the vaccine rollout aims to contain ASF cases in affected towns of Batangas, which was placed under a state of calamity due to the spread of the virus. This includes the province's eight municipalities — Lobo, Lian, Calatagan, Rosario, Lipa, Talisay, San Juan, and Tuy.

"...our supplier donated 2,000 doses that will arrive this Friday (August 16)," said Laurel. "Hopefully, we can start the inoculation by Tuesday (August 20) next week."

On August 12, Laurel revealed that an initial 10,000 doses of ASF vaccine will arrive by August 23. The government will distribute them to affected areas for free. In the same briefing, the DA official said that the procurement of the vaccines could continue until next month.

He added that checkpoints or inspection stations will be installed in affected municipalities by August 16.

Aside from areas in Batangas, 41 municipalities or seven towns in Quezon province have recorded cases of ASF in local hogs. Based on data, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian classified the towns of San Andres, Macalelon, Lopez, Mauban, Candelaria, and Tiaong as "red" or "infected zone".

Previous reports also revealed that 8,818 animal deaths were recorded in Lobo alone.

- Inquirer