651 hogs die of ASF in Zamboanga City; 430 more culled to prevent spread of disease
By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY- Some 1,000 hogs have died in Zamboanga City during the past weeks due to the African Swine Fever (ASF), records of the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVET) showed.

Dr. Mario Ariola, Zamboanga City Veterinarian, said 651 hogs died from the disease while 430 suspected to be infected with the virus underwent mercy killing.
There are still 1,081 being monitored by the OCVET for possible ASF infection.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has placed Zamboanga City under the red zone due to the spread of ASF cases in the communities.
Nearly 400 hog raisers in various communities are now affected by the ASF menace.
The local government of Zamboanga has provided food packs to the affected families to help them cope with their losses, said Ariola.
De-population of hogs is still being conducted while strict monitoring of borders is being implemented to prevent the entry of live hogs into Zamboanga City.