August 20, 2025

Philippines reports fewer ASF cases in 2025, agriculture department says

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) on August 18 said that cases of African swine fever (ASF) in the country are significantly lower compared to the same period in 2024 despite a slight uptick this month.

As of August 7, ASF-affected villages rose to 51 from 28 on July 11, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

"Most of the cases last year was also in August. Now we are on mid-August, 51. Compare it to the figures for the same period last year, it's significantly lower than last year," DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said.

In 2024, the DA recorded an ASF resurgence in the third quarter, with initial cases emerging in Lobo, Lian, Rosario, Calatagan and Lipa City in Batangas.

For this year, however, de Mesa said a resurgence may be unlikely due to the rollout of government-controlled vaccination and stricter border measures.

"The areas which have cases now are not the same areas affected last year," he noted.

De Mesa said most of the affected communities are in Bohol.

Other affected villages are in the Cordillera, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas regions.

-      Philippine News Agency