ASF outbreak logged in Occidental Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines — African swine fever continues to wreak havoc in the country’s hog industry, with Occidental Mindoro becoming the latest to report an ASF outbreak, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday.

In a press conference, DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an attached agency of the DA, is investigating the source of the outbreak.

Among the towns in Occidental Mindoro with reported ASF cases are Santa Cruz with seven, San Jose with five and Rizal with two as of Jan. 17

De Mesa said efforts are being made to contain the virus such as depopulation of infected hogs and preventive culling.

Pig production in the nearby province of Oriental Mindoro is being monitored due to previous ASF cases.

ASF on Mindoro Island was first detected in the towns of Naujan and Calapan, Oriental Mindoro late last year.

Earlier, Occidental Mindoro was among 12 provinces considered ASF-free. With its inclusion in the list of ASF-affected areas, the number of provinces considered free from ASF is now down to 11.

These are Basilan, Batanes, Biliran, Bohol, Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Palawan, Siquijor, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

The virus has spread to at least 65 provinces, the BAI said.

AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones said the hog industry has incurred at least P200 billion in losses since the ASF started infecting the country in 2019. Briones is chairman of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines. — Catherine Talavera