SOUTHERN LEYTE – The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) on August 9, 2023 in the municipality of Padre Burgos. Laboratory results showed that 30 hogs tested positive for ASF in Barangay Tangkaan, Padre Burgos.
The DA Eastern Visayas regional ASF coordinator Vencie Pantonino said that these animals showed signs of the disease. He gave information that there were approximately 30 swine mortalities caused by ASF since the last week of June of this year that were reported.
Pantonino also disclosed that based on investigation, possible transmission of the virus resulted from the transport of infected live hogs from neighboring municipalities that still have ASF active cases, swill feeding, and poor biosecurity.
The lockdown has been imposed by authorities since two weeks ago. Movement of hogs to and from Padre Burgos town has been prohibited since it was marked as a red zone, according to a reliable source from the hog industry in Southern Leyte. Transportation of hogs to-and-from the infected area is highly prohibited.
Since 2021, Eastern Visayas had recorded 13,366 ASF cases since 2021. The first ASF case was detected in Can-aporong village in Abuyog, Leyte on January 14, 2021.
The DA recommends to observe protocols by disinfecting of vehicles used to transport the hogs and all other equipment; regularly checking the hogs by an expert to ensure their health; maintaining the sanitation of the surroundings; avoiding swill feeding; and proper disposal of manures of the infected hogs. (PNA, SLT interview with local hog raiser)
ASF locks down Padre Burgos
