ASF kills 500 pigs in Negros Occidental town

BACOLOD CITY — A resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF) has killed more than 500 pigs in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, Mayor Jilson Tubillara confirmed Tuesday.

Tubillara said all 10 barangays in the town have been affected, with laboratory tests confirming the outbreak on Monday.

Authorities have imposed border controls and strengthened biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

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READ: DA to buy 32,000 female pigs to hasten hog sector’s recovery from ASF

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the outbreak has affected more than one percent of Negros Occidental’s pig population, mostly in the southern part of the province, based on local and Bureau of Animal Industry laboratory results.

He said the number of cases may still rise, noting the latest report was as of June 18, and stressed the need for strict compliance with biosecurity protocols.

Provincial authorities have revived containment measures used during previous outbreaks, including immediate burial of infected pigs with lime and mandatory disinfection of affected areas.

Lacson also urged hog raisers with healthy stocks to consider selling their animals early to avoid losses.

Local governments in Moises Padilla and La Castellana have also tightened restrictions, including bans on the entry of pork products and live swine, to protect local livestock industries./coa

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