Manila: Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that African swine fever (ASF) cases have re-emerged in the province, marking a concerning return of the disease three years after it previously caused significant losses in the swine population.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson confirmed the cases following laboratory tests by the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry. Despite the confirmed cases, Lacson refrained from naming specific local government units (LGUs) affected, preferring the LGUs to disclose the information themselves. However, reports from San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara indicated that the southern municipality had seen approximately 500 hog deaths attributed to ASF.

As of June 18, Lacson reported that just over 1 percent of the province's hog population was affected by ASF. He emphasized the importance of following ASF protocols, which include immediate burial and disinfection of deceased pigs, and advised owners of healthy pigs to consider selling them. The province had previously implemented these measures in 2023 during its first encounter with ASF, leading to a successful repopulation effort.

In Bacolod, Mayor Greg Gasataya responded to the potential threat by issuing an executive order to reconstitute a task force focused on ASF prevention and control. Although Bacolod has yet to record any ASF cases, Gasataya stressed the importance of enhancing city mechanisms for inspection, quarantine, and transport regulation to prevent ASF's spread into the city. He called for a comprehensive information and awareness campaign and emphasized the need for investigations and control protocols in suspected ASF areas to mitigate the disease's impact.

Source: National News Agency Nepal