African Swine Fever outbreak confirmed in 7 areas

African Swine Fever outbreak confirmed in 7 areas
African Swine Fever outbreak confirmed in 7 areas mostly in Antipolo, Rizal, and Bulacan. (Image from Swineweb.com)

The Bureau of Animal Industry confirmed African Swine Fever outbreak in seven (7) areas in Luzon, Tuesday.

BAI Director Ronnie Domingo said the number of dead pigs in the following areas has increased:

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Antipolo – Barangay Cupang

BULACAN- Guiguinto town

ROD­RIGUEZ, RIZAL- Barangays San Jose, Macabud, San Isidro, San Rafael and Mascap.

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“Kapag sa isang lu­gar ay tumataas above the expected occurrence ang pagkakasakit o pagkakamatay ay puwede ‘yong maituring na isang hitsura ng outbreak,”  Domingo explained.

“’Yong nangyari sa Rizal, wala naman silang ASF tapos nagkaroon ng mga namamatay na baboy at nagkakasakit, so ‘yon po ay maituturing na outbreak,” he added.

(In Rizal’s case, they do not have ASFs. Then their pigs fell ill and died, so that could be considered an outbreak.)

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BAI continue to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever outbreak

Domingo said the government is still implementing measures to prevent ASF from spreading to neighbouring areas.

Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture will test the water quality of the Marikina River to ensure that the fishes there were safe to eat.

Agriculture Office of the Secretary-General of Staff Cheryl Caballero said it was in response to a request by the local government of Marikina. They suspected the dead pigs thrown in the river could carry diseases.