LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 5 (Bicol) is calling on local government units (LGUs) and hog raisers to strengthen the implementation of the “Bantay ASF (African swine fever) sa Barangay” (BABay ASF) program to prevent and contain the reported increase of ASF in the region.
In an interview on Wednesday, Lovella Guarin, DA Bicol information office chief, said a recurrence of ASF cases was recorded in 12 municipalities in Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Masbate.
"To immediately control the recurrence of ASF in the affected towns, depopulation of hogs within the 500-meter radius of ground zero was carried out by the DA Bicol and the affected LGU. Border controls within the boundaries of the affected municipalities are strengthened and monitored by the BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry). A total of 209 heads of swine have been depopulated from July to August 2024," she said.
Guarin said ASF cases were detected from July to August this year in the towns of Baao, Pili, Nabua, Ocampo, Bula, Libmanan, and Presentacion in Camarines Sur; Caramoran, Virac, and Pandan in Catanduanes; and Claveria and San Pascual in Masbate.
DA Bicol also reminded the public to avoid purchasing processed meat from mobile vendors with unknown product sources, as these may come from infected areas.
Guarin added that DA urges hog raisers to improve production and management practices, including daily or regular cleaning and disinfection of pig pens using disinfectants such as chlorine.
"Visitors to the hog production area should be limited, and hogs should not be fed kitchen waste, as it may be contaminated with ASF," she said.
Guarin said DA Bicol is waiting for the documentary requirements to be submitted by 11 towns still in the red zone but monitored for 90 days in ASF-free cases. These are Camaligan in Camarines Sur; Labo, Daet, Mercedes, San Vicente, and Talisay in Camarines Norte; San Jacinto, Milagros, Mobo, and San Fernando in Masbate; and Donsol in Sorsogon.
"The LGUs must submit the required documents before being upgraded to the pink zone," she added. (PNA)
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