Wild pigs in Abra hit by ASF

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordilleras has intensified its campaign against African swine fever (ASF) after wild pigs in Abra were found infected.

The DA confirmed cases of the swine disease among native and wild pigs in Boliney, Malibcong, Daguioman and Tineg towns.

DA regional director Cameron Odsey admitted that it is difficult to determine how the wild pigs got infected, adding that they have yet to determine the number of infections.

Odsey said it is possible that the infected wild pigs ate hunters’ leftover food.

He said farmers and hunters were asked not to transport meat of wild pigs to avoid infecting farm-raised hogs.

Odsey said the DA had implemented measures to prevent the spread of ASF among wild pigs in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said the DA is also working hand-in-hand with hog raisers and various local government units to deal with the ASF outbreak in the region even as he lamented the infection of hogs in Abra and Apayao.

The first ASF case in the Cordilleras was recorded in Kalinga and Benguet last year. Infections were also recorded in Ifugao and Mountain Province.

Odsey said among the measures they have been implementing are intensified surveillance; provision of disinfectants, drugs and biologics; depopulatation as well as indemnification and consultation with affected hog raisers.

The DA’s Special Area for Agricultural Development allotted more than P8 million to affected barangays in Mountain Province, Kalinga and Apayao.