Four Capiz towns under ASF red zone watch

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Four towns in Capiz are under red zone status as suspected cases of African swine fever have reportedly affected local hog populations.

Dr. Lloyd Burata, newly designated Capiz provincial veterinarian, identified the towns as Panay and Panitan in the 1st District and Ivisan and Sapian in the 2nd District.

Burata said the provincial veterinary office is monitoring the affected areas and collecting samples from hogs to assess the situation before lifting the red zone warning.

He asked for the public’s cooperation, particularly in the 2nd District, by informing municipal agriculturists of suspected cases for proper action and disposition.

Burata added that aside from the four towns, four other towns in the province have reported cases of dying swine, although authorities have yet to determine whether the deaths were caused by ASF.

African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, but it does not pose a direct health risk to humans.

Meanwhile, the Roxas City Veterinary Office urged residents raising hogs to report cases of swine deaths or weakness to the office.

Dr. Leah Ingalla, city veterinarian, said hog deaths suspected to be linked to ASF were reported in two barangays in Roxas City.

She identified the villages as Barangay Balijuagan and Barangay Bago, where personnel from the City Veterinary Office were sent to check the hogs and the areas where they were raised.

Blood samples were also taken from the hogs and will be brought to the regional laboratory to confirm the cause of death and illness.

Ingalla said eight to 10 hogs were reported to have died in the areas due to suspected ASF infection.