Iloilo City Moves to Contain ASF: Iloilo City Government has put in place quarantine measures within the 500-meter radius of its first-recorded African Swine Fever (ASF) case in Zone 5, Brgy. Tacas in Jaro district. Mayor Jerry P. Treňas received the report from the Department of Agriculture that out of 17 samples, one tested positive for ASF. He said the city’s ASF Task Force is already working with barangay officials to ensure protocols will be followed.
“We will have to depopulate all hogs within the 500-meter radius. The animals will be buried properly. Any dead pig should be reported right away, and should not be thrown in our waterways,” he stressed.
The city will also find ways and means to extend financial assistance to affected owners in the area. Slaughterhouse disinfection is regularly implemented, and the hogs are slaughtered immediately upon arrival. Public markets here strictly disallow hogs, pork, and pork products coming from ASF-affected areas.
ASF Task Force has drawn up actions to be taken following the first confirmed swine death due to the disease.
Strategies and containing measures were discussed by officials and representatives from City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Veterinarian’s Office, Office of the City Agriculturist, Iloilo City Police Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Liga ng mga Barangay, City Health Office, Public Information Office, and barangay officials concerned.
A representative from the Department of Agriculture was also present. (via Iloilo City PIO)
About African Swine Fever
According to the World Organization for Animal Health: “African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality rate can reach 100%. It is not a danger to human health, but it has devastating effects on pig populations and the farming economy. There is currently no effective vaccine against ASF. The virus is highly resistant in the environment, meaning that it can survive on clothes, boots, wheels, and other materials. It can also survive in various pork products, such as ham, sausages, or bacon. Therefore, human behaviors can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not taken.”
The animal health agency also stressed the following socioeconomic impact of ASF: “Pigs are a primary source of household income in many countries. The spread of ASF across the world has devastated family-run pig farms, often the mainstay of people’s livelihoods and a driver of upward mobility. It has also reduced opportunities to access healthcare and education. Moreover, pork meat is one of the primary sources of animal proteins, accounting for more than 35% of the global meat intake. Hence, this disease poses a serious problem for food security worldwide. This disease is also a concern for biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems, as it affects not only domestic farmed pigs but also wild boars, including native breeds.”
