No end to ASF in Philippines; 250,000 pigs culled

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines continues to see outbreaks of African swine fever, with culled pigs breaching 250,000 and the government nowhere near containing the disease.

In its follow-up report to the World Organization for Animal Health, the Philippines said 69 new outbreaks have been recorded and a total of 251,450 pigs were killed since the outbreak started in August 2019.

Latest data from the government bared 3,967 cases of ASF in the country.

Of the new outbreaks, the highest number of killed pigs is in General Mamerto Natividad in Nueva Ecija with 5,414 followed by Mulanay in Quezon with 3,907 and Laurel in Batangas with 3,083.

New outbreaks were also recorded in Antipolo City, Teresa, Binangonan and Angono in Rizal; General Trias in Cavite; Baler and Dingalan towns in Aurora; Basista, Malasiqui, Calasiao, Binmaley, Lingayen, Bugalion, Sual, Mangaldan and Labrador in Pangasinan; Victoria, La Paz, Tarlac City, Moncada, San Jose, Sta. Ignacia, Pura, Gerona and Mayanton in Tarlac; Samal, Orani, Dinalupihan, Abucay, Hermosa, Mariveles, Pilar and Orion in Bataan; Cabiao, Sta. Rosa, Jaen, Talavera, San Antonio, Science City of Muñoz, Bongabon and Sto. Domingo in Nueva Ecija; Mulanay, San Narciso and Catanauan, all in Quezon; as well as in Itogon and Tuba in Benguet.

Further up north, Isabela had cases in Mallig, Quirino, Quezon, Jones, Aurora, Cordon, San Manuel, Gamu and Roxas.

The latest province to be added on the list is Ifugao after 15 cases of ASF in the towns of Banaue, Lagawe, Kiangan and Hingyon were recorded. At least 372 pigs in backyard farms were culled.

Nueva Vizcaya province is also infected with 198 pigs killed in Bayombong as well as Calamba City in Laguna with 91 pigs culled.

In Bicol region, Camarines Sur reported new cases in Bombon, Minalabac, Naga City, Calabanga and Magarao.

In the same report, DA said the source of the outbreak included illegal movement of animals and swill feeding.

So far, the government has applied measures to control the disease including movement control inside the country, surveillance within and outside containment and protection zone, screening, quarantine, destruction of animal products, disposal of carcasses, byproducts and waste, stamping out, zoning, disinfection, and ante and post-mortem inspections.