ILOILO CITY – African Swine Fever (ASF) has reached Aklan province as two hogs in Balete town were infected with the highly contagious and deadly swine disease.
Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores confirmed these infections in a press conference on Thursday, April 13, after the Regional Animal Diseases and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 released the results of the samples taken by the Aklan Provincial Veterinary Office in a hog farm in Barangay Arcanghel.
Miraflores said the provincial government is closely coordinating with the local government of Balete and the DA-6 to curb the spread of ASF.
Mayor Dexter Calizo has issued an executive order banning of trading and transporting hogs in and out of Balete.
A border control point was established and biosecurity measures have been strengthened.
Aklan is the fourth province in Western Visayas region with ASF cases. Iloilo logged the first ASF case.
ASF cases were also reported in Guimaras and Capiz provinces.
Balete is 21 kilometers from Kalibo, the provincial capital.