DA eyes lockdown of ASF-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture is modifying its culling protocols to contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

In an interview on Monday with “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said they would no longer depopulate pigs under the 1-7-10 protocol.

Under the protocol, hogs within one kilometer of the site of infection will be culled. Bringing in and out of hogs within the area is also prohibited.

“What we will look into is the area where there is infection. We will surgically lock down the area infected with the disease,” Dar said.

“Only the infected area will be depopulated, not the one-kilometer radius,” Dar said.

In its latest report to the World Organization for Animal Health, the Philippines said 58 new outbreaks have been recorded and 293,973 pigs culled since August 2019.

The report said there are 4,427 new ASF cases in the country.

At least 1,556 pigs were culled in Mulanay, Quezon and 1,000 in Naga, Camarines Sur.

Cagayan was added to the list of ASF-hit provinces, after 52 cases were recorded in Solana, Amulung, Allacapan, Baggao and Iguig. A total of 188 pigs were culled.

Zambales was also hit with ASF, with six pigs killed in Botolan. The disease also affected hogs in Saguday town in Quirino and San Fernando, La Union.

New outbreaks were recorded in Tanay, Binangonan, and Angono in Rizal.

Isabela recorded more cases while new cases were listed in Pangasinan, Quezon, Benguet, Ifugao, Camarines Sur, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya.