ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has placed Zamboanga City under red zone status due to the proliferation of Asian Swine Fever (ASF) cases in at least five barangays.
The areas affected include Canucutan, Pasonanca; Sitio Udjung, Bunguiao; Sitio Lower and Upper Mangusu; Sitio Presa in Curuan; and Sitio Corote in Manicahan.
The Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVET) tried to contain the infection by implementing depopulation in affected areas.
At least 100 hogs had been subjected to mercy killing while 37 affected hog raisers were given assistance by the government.
The OCVET followed provisions under City Ordinance No. 566, the ordinance to prevent and control Zoonotic and non-Zoonotic Transboundary Animal Diseases in Zamboanga City.
OCVET personnel are continuously monitoring unusual cases of mortality among swine in other areas.
The local government is calling on swine raisers to report any mortalities and disease conditions to the OCVET, and to avoid slaughtering sick or dead animals to avoid food poisoning and contamination.
The government is also banning the use of swill feed for hogs.