Fewer barangays log ASF cases

MANILA, Philippines — Outbreaks of African swine fever have decreased, with the number of barangays reporting ASF cases dropping to 505 from the previous 534, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry.

The BAI said as of Oct. 18, the number of ASF cases recorded in 29 barangays has decreased compared to figures recorded two weeks ago or on Oct. 2.

It said ASF cases were recorded in 140 barangays in North Cotabato, 75 in Batangas, 51 in Camarines Sur, 42 in La Union, 37 in Quezon, 28 in Abra, 27 in Cavite, 18 in Oriental Mindoro, 14 each in Ifugao and Ilocos Sur, and 13 in Kalinga.

Laguna recorded nine barangays with ASF cases followed by Occidental Mindoro with eight, Catanduanes with five and Rizal, three.

Camarines Norte, Leyte, Sorsogon and Zamboanga del Norte have two barangays each that reported ASF cases. Apayao, Bulacan, Maguindanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and Tarlac have one each.

“At least 438 cities and municipalities were upgraded from red or infected to pink or buffer zone, and 104 were upgraded to yellow or surveillance from pink zone,” the BAI said.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expanded the controlled vaccination against ASF, to include commercial farms amid low participation rate among backyard hog raisers.