Northern Samar bans hogs from ASF-hit areas

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A ban on the entry of hogs from Mindanao, Luzon and Leyte has been imposed in Northern Samar.

Gov. Edwin Ongchuan issued an executive order declaring the ban from Jan. 18 to March 19 after the first case of African swine fever in the Visayas was recorded in Abuyog, Leyte last week even as ASF remains unabated in Luzon and Mindanao.

“There is a need to strengthen our regulations to prevent the entry of ASF and keep Northern Samar ASF-free,” Ongchuan said.

On Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that ASF was detected in two other towns in Leyte – La Paz and Javier.

The Eastern Visayas ASF Task Force urged concerned local government officials to put up checkpoints, implement measures in preparation for culling of hogs within the 500-meter radius and continue its monitoring based on the modified 1-7-10 protocol.

“We assure the public that concerned local government units and the regional ASF task force will continue to institute proactive measures, such as strict enforcement of quarantine procedures, restriction of animal movement, disinfection and clearing of affected areas,” DA regional executive director Angel Enriquez said.