THE provinces of Batangas and Ilocos Norte are now on heightened alert for African Swine Fever (ASF).

In Batangas, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported ASF cases in Lobo, Lian, Rosario, Calatagan, and Lipa City.

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

The Provincial Veterinary Office is yet to release data on the number of cases in the four towns and city 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.

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

In Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) yesterday 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.

The province’s hog industry recorded P4.98 billion worth of losses in 2020 due to ASF.

Citing experts’ observation, Valenzuela said risk of ASF is now higher because of the rainy season, noting that the highly contagious virus may just be underground where it was previously buried.

She thus urged hog raisers not to use water from creeks, irrigation canals or rivers to avoid contamination, and to always practice biosecurity measures in pigpens. By Jane Eleda, PNA

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Jane Eleda