Bacolod logs ASF cases in fifth village

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The City Veterinary Office has intensified surveillance and monitoring after African swine fever cases were recorded in five of the city’s 61 barangays.

Barangay Alangilan is the latest affected area, with one confirmed ASF case.

An additional case was also confirmed in Barangay Alijis, which, along with Barangay Taculing, was among the first villages affected in the city.

Barangays Granada and Bata each recorded one confirmed ASF case in June.

The veterinary office continued disinfection operations in affected areas as part of efforts to contain the virus.

In an advisory, Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. Janine Sarthou encouraged hog raisers to strengthen biosecurity measures and maintain proper sanitation.

She also urged raisers to immediately report unusual signs of illness or deaths among their hogs.

Sarthou appealed for continued cooperation and vigilance among hog raisers, barangay officials and other stakeholders.

She said collective action and stronger biosecurity measures could help prevent the further spread of ASF and protect the livelihoods of local farmers.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs but does not pose a health risk to humans, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The disease has significantly affected Philippine hog production since it was first detected in the country in 2019.