City culls 20 hogs due to ASF scare

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has contained a suspected case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in one of its southern barangays after at least 20 hogs from a piggery were found to have symptoms consistent with the viral disease.

Mayor Nestor Archival said the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) immediately responded to the report by collecting blood samples from the affected area. He, however, declined to identify the barangay involved.

The mayor assured the public that swift containment measures prevented the suspected infection from spreading and that the city has since returned to its ASF-free status.

According to Archival, all affected hogs were immediately culled and buried, while the perimeter of the piggery was cordoned off to contain the suspected outbreak.

He emphasized that only one barangay was affected and that surveillance operations remain ongoing across the city to ensure the virus does not spread further.

The affected hog raiser, who sustained significant losses, sought assistance from City Hall. Archival said he personally extended assistance to the raiser while financial aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) is being processed.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. While it poses no threat to humans, it is often fatal to infected hogs, with mortality rates reaching up to 100 percent in acute cases.

The virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, vehicles, clothing, and even ticks. In the absence of an effective vaccine or cure, authorities rely on strict biosecurity measures, culling, and movement restrictions to prevent transmission.

The Department of Agriculture has implemented programs such as the National ASF Prevention and Control Program (NASFPCP) and Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) to strengthen local surveillance and containment efforts since the disease reached the country.

Earlier this month, Archival issued Executive Order No. 86, dated July 10, 2026, temporarily prohibiting the entry and exit of live hogs, pork, and pork by-products within Cebu City. The measure is intended to protect the city from ASF and complements provincial and national disease control efforts.

The DVMF continues to conduct citywide surveillance and testing, while residents are urged to immediately report unusual pig deaths or symptoms.

The city's ASF Task Force, composed of veterinary, agriculture, disaster response, police, and port authorities, continues to enforce biosecurity measures to safeguard Cebu's hog industry.

Archival also urged Cebuanos to remain vigilant, stressing that early reporting and strict compliance with movement restrictions are essential to protecting the city's pork supply and the livelihood of local hog raisers.— Preciosa Bacalso  (FREEMAN)