BATANGAS, ILOCOS NORTE ON HIGHTENED ALERT VS ASF

THE provinces of Batangas and Ilocos Norte have tightened their watch against the virus that affect pigs or the African Swine Fever (ASF).

One city and four municipalities in Batangas province reported ASF cases, the Provincial Veterinary Office on Tuesday said.

The areas are Lipa City and the towns of Lian, Rosario, Lobo, and Calatagan.

According to Dr. Lorielie Austria, focal person for ASF of the Batangas Provincial Veterinary Office, investigation is ongoing on how the ASF virus have entered the province.

The Provincial Veterinary Office is yet to release data on the number of cases in the areas confirmed to have ASF.

“Itinatagubilin ko po sa mga areas na posibleng affected na rin, paki-monitor po ng inyong nga areas, at kaagad pong i-report sa tanggapan ng panlalawigang beterinaryo kung may kaso na po diyan sa inyo para po mapagtulung-tulungan nating masolusyunan ang problemang ito,” said provincial veterinarian Dr. Romelito Marasigan.

Following confirmed reports of ASF in the four municipalities and one city in Batangas, authorities in the province have ramped up biometric security measures at its entry and exit points.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA)  said there are no expected price spikes in pork despite the resurgence of ASF cases in Batangas.

In Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO)  on Tuesday called on hog raisers, traders, butchers, meat processors, and vendors to adhere to government protocols to prevent the reentry of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.

Alarmed by the increasing cases of ASF in the nearby provinces of Abra and La Union, provincial veterinary officer Dr. Loida Valenzuela said Ilocos Norte is currently “under surveillance zone (yellow zone), with no recorded and laboratory surveillance since middle of 2022.

“Let us be vigilant. I am appealing to the municipal agriculture officers, chief veterinary officers as well as local officials and residents to report unscrupulous individuals who have unauthorised shipments. Please check on their shipping documents,” she said.

Ilocos Norte hog industry recorded P4.98 billion worth of losses in 2020 due to ASF.