7 Lipa villages declared ASF-free

MANILA, Philippines — Seven barangays in Lipa City in Batangas have been declared free from African swine fever (ASF), according to the Department of Agriculture-Calabarzon (DA-Calabarzon) office.

“This was done after... Barangays Bolbok, Malagonlong, Kayumanggi, Calamias, Mabini, San Francisco and Lumbang implemented the sentinel protocol instituted by the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry through the Bantay ASF sa Barangay program,” the DA-Calabarzon said.

The sentinel approach refers to limited placement of pigs to determine if the ASF virus is still present in a test area.

ASF-infected areas are subjected to continuous cleaning and disinfecting for at least 30 days while regular surveillance and testing activities are conducted to ensure the absence of virus strains.

“After that sentinel pigs will be deployed in the area and if no outbreaks are detected within 40 days, the barangay can be declared ASF-free by the concerned local government unit,” the DA-CALABARZON said.

Lipa remains under the red or infected zone based on the DA’s ASF zoning status as of March 29.