Philippines confirms more African swine fever cases, 200,000 pigs culled

African swine fever has prompted Vietnam to cull two million pigs in several months. Photo by Shutterstock/Dusan Petkovic. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

MANILA, Jan 31, 2020, PhilStar. The Philippines has reported more African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, with culled pigs nearing 200,000. In a follow-up report to the World Organization for Animal Health, also known as OIE, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said 130 new outbreaks and 2,891 cases have been recorded since August last year, The Philippine Star reported.

In its report to the OIE in November, the DA said only 52,850 pigs were culled due to ASF.

On the latest outbreaks, the DA said Baliuag in Bulacan has the highest number of culled pigs with 14,551 followed by San Luis and Candaba in Pampanga with 10,202 and 7,622, respectisvely.

Aurora was added to the list after four cases were recorded in Baler town. At least 190 pigs in a backyard piggery were culled.

New outbreaks were recorded in Antipolo City, San Mateo and Taytay in Rizal, the DA said.

In Tarlac City, 22 pigs in a backyard farm were affected.

The DA said more ASF cases were reported in Nueva Ecija, with new cases in the cities of Palayan, Cabanatuan, Cabiao, Quezon, Sta. Rosa, Zaragoza, Gapan, San Leonardo, San Isidro, General Mamerto Natividad, San Antonio, Science City of Muñoz, Aliaga and General Tinio.

New cases were reported in Dasmariñas City, Imus, Bacoor, General Trias and Indang in Cavite.

More outbreaks were recorded in 16 areas in Bulacan and 19 in Pampanga.

In Metro Manila, pigs in two barangays in Caloocan City were affected.

The DA said the source of the outbreak include the transport of infected animals and swill feeding.

Tapering

Director Ronnie Domingo of the Bureau of Animal Industry maintained that the swine disease is being contained amid stricter quarantine measures.

“(ASF) is occurring but tapering. Zero occurrence is different from tapering occurrence. Our surveillance is continuous,” Domingo said in a text message.

He said only a small percentage of the culled pigs were affected by ASF. The rest were isolated as part of the implementation of the 1-7-10 protocol.

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