ASF threat in 6 villages in Iligan City contained
THE THREAT of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in six villages in Iligan City in southern Philippines has been contained, according to human and animal nutrition provider ADM Philippines.
ADM said in a statement that joint efforts with the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP) and the city and village officials addressed the threat of the disease in the barangays of Abuno, Dalipuga, Digkilaan, Tipanoy, San Roque, and Pugaan.
“The city has successfully contained the transmission of the ASF virus in the originally-affected barangays, Digkilaan and Pugaan, and maintained control to prevent any new cases. In addition, some affected areas have already started initiating repopulation procedures,” Iligan City Veterinarian Dahlia M. Valera said.
ADM said about 40,000 pigs being raised in the six barangays are currently being protected by a joint project called ‘Bantay ASF sa Barangay’ (BABay ASF).
“Every aspect of the project helped control the ASF outbreak in the city such as the biosecurity training equipped barangay personnel with the needed knowledge to supervise local hog raisers’ proper entry and exit. At the same time, the ASF test kits (provided by ADM) helped the city pinpoint potential areas for repopulation and focus on those that needed more attention,” Ms. Valera said.
She added that some of the affected barangays already started preliminary repopulation measures but said the course of the virus spread makes it too early to determine the projected recovery period of the city’s hog industry.
Meanwhile, ADM and PCSP said they are looking to assist other areas affected by ASF following the positive outcome in Iligan City.
“In a span of a few months, we are seeing results leading to repopulation of the city’s hog farms, and it gives us the confidence to launch the project in other provinces in the country,” PSCP BABay ASF project leader Max M. Montenegro said.
ADM Animal Nutrition Philippines Managing Director Lorenzo Mapua, for his part, said, “We are glad to know that all of our efforts to fight the ASF epidemic are paying off. We will remain committed to protecting the livelihoods of hog farmers until the virus is no more and bring the hog industry back to its full strength.” — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
