ILOILO CITY – Almost 1,900 pigs have been culled as part of depopulation measures to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Iloilo province.
Citing data from the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. disclosed that 1,852 pigs were killed in seven towns as of Dec. 8.
But Defensor said in a press conference on Friday, Dec. 9, that the number may be higher as some hogs that have been culled may not have been recorded yet by the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office.
So far, Oton town, where the first ASF case in Iloilo was recorded,
had 898 pigs culled, followed by the town of San Miguel with 466.
There were 197 pigs killed in Santa Barbara town, 147 in Leganes town, 62 in New Lucena town, 57 in Alimodian town, and 25 in Mina town.
Defensor noted that there is no concrete data on the financial losses incurred by hog raisers due to ASF.
The provincial government has created the ‘’Pork Festival Kontra ASF’’ to address the losses caused by ASF.
Towns have create their own ‘’lechon’’ (roast pig) festivals and encouraged people to buy lechon.
Health officials have explained that ASF is not harmful to humans. Pork or pork by-products are still safe for human consumption as long it is properly cleaned and cooked.