ASF spreads to 3 more Leyte towns

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Eastern Visayas regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine Information Agency have partnered to disseminate the government’s plan to manage and control the spread of African swine fever (ASF), which has affected three more towns in Leyte.

In a virtual briefing on Friday, DA regional director Angel Enriquez said hogs in Tanauan, Palo and MacArthur are the latest to be infected with the swine disease.

The affected areas are Barangays Bislig in Tanauan, Kauswagan and Liwayway in MacArthur and Baras in Palo.

The first ASF case in Leyte and Eastern Visayas was recorded two weeks ago in Abuyog town.

Last week, the DA said ASF was confirmed in Barangay Combis in Dulag.

Hogs in La Paz and Javier were also found infected with the swine disease.

Enriquez said nearly 2,000 hogs have been culled in the past three weeks.

The DA had earlier called on local government units in nearby areas to take preventive measures to stop the spread of ASF.

Enriquez cited the need to create or reactivate their ASF task force and step up efforts to regulate the movement of pigs, pork and processed meat.