Catanduanes records first ASF cases

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The island-province of Catanduanes recorded its first cases of African swine fever after hogs in five municipalities tested positive for the ASF virus.

The towns infected with ASF are Bato, San Andres, San Miguel, Viga and Virac.

The provincial veterinary office identified the villages of Calatagan and Tibang, both in Virac, as ground zero of the infection.

Jane Rubio, chief of the provincial veterinary office, said their regional office would forward to them the requirement and protocol in depopulating or culling infected hogs.

Hogs within the 500-meter radius of ground zero will be depopulated, Rubio said, adding the surveillance and control zones will be extended up to seven and 10 kilometers, respectively.

Local government units (LGUs) will handle the depopulation of infected hogs.

“Technicians of concerned LGUs should immediately carry out the depopulation or culling procedure,” Rubio told The STAR.

Officials of the provincial veterinary office will witness and supervise the procedure as well as coordinate with concerned agencies to prevent further spread of the disease.

Rubio said they received reports that there have been ASF cases in Catanduanes as early as the first quarter of 2020.

“We tested one suspected hog, but it turned out negative for the ASF virus,” she said.

Rubio expressed belief the recent typhoons that hit Catanduanes could have triggered the spread of the infection as hogs suffer from stress during disasters.