ASF hits Nueva Vizcaya; more Cagayan Valley towns afflicted

By Victor Martin

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — This town was the latest in Cagayan Valley affected by African swine fever (ASF).

At least 17 pigs that died in Barangay La Torre tested positive for ASF, Mayor Ralph Lantion reported last week.

“We have locked down La Torre North and nearby La Torre South, Luyang and Casat to prevent the spread of the disease,” Lantion said.

He said more than 200 pigs were culled March 6.

Lantion said affected hog raisers would receive P2,500 per culled pig as indemnity from the municipal government.

An emergency meeting of officials of the agriculture department and municipal government was held last week to discuss preventive measures.

In Isabela, the number of ASF-affected towns rose from two to 11, according to the provincial veterinary office.

Provincial veterinarian Angelo Naui said 22 barangays in Reina Mercedes, Echague, Quezon, Luna, Quirino, Mallig, Jones, Aurora Roxas, San Manuel, Gamu and Cordon were affected by ASF.

Naui said 1,000 pigs have been culled since last month. Affected hog raisers received an initial compensation of P2 million.

The first ASF cases in Cagayan Valley were reported in Mallig and Quirino towns in Isabela last month. Seventy-seven pigs were culled.

In Cagayan, 56 hogs were recently culled in Solana, where pigs in five barangays tested positive for ASF. 

Pigs, pork and processed meat in Quirino and Batanes remain ASF-free.

The Bureau of Animal Industry had earlier reported that hogs in Ifugao, Kalinga, Pangasinan, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, Camarines Sur and Davao Occidental as well as Quezon City, Caloocan City and Malabon in Metro Manila were hit by ASF.

Only pigs raised in the Visayas remain ASF-free. – With Raymund Catindig