SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The much-dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) now crept its way to Vigan City in Ilocos Sur.
This was confirmed yesterday by the provincial Department of Agriculture after nine blood samples taken from hogs in farms in Barangay Pantay Fatima tested positive.
In his statement on Friday, August 27, Vigan City mayor Juan Carlo Medina said cleaning and disinfection has been commenced and will be continuously implemented.
He ordered the immediate depopulation of infected hogs within the 500-meter radius.
“We are also working on the speedy grant of indemnity fund to our affected hog owners and raisers, while coordinating with other petinent agencies”, Medina added in his statement.
Meanwhile, in Ilocos Norte, more than 5,000 hogs have been affected by culling operations since the virus made its way last June 2021.
As of writing, seven towns have been classified as ASF red zones.
With this, the province has lost at least PHP40 million due to ASF, according to provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela.