ASF finds its way to La Union, prompting prevention steps

DAGUPAN CITY–The city government of San Fernando in La Union province confirmed the first cases of African swine fever (ASF) at one of its villages.

This came after blood samples taken from dead pigs from a backyard farm at Cadaclan village tested positive for the disease.

In a statement on Sunday yet (March 8), City Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega said the city government, the Department of Agriculture and the provincial government of La Union have taken immediate and precautionary steps to manage and control the spread of ASF.

The city government has created Task Force ASF to control the disease.

The measures included the culling of pigs at ground zero and within 1-kilometer radius of the infected piggery, mapping the villages within the 7-kilometer radius, augmenting hygiene kits and providing financial assistance to backyard raisers.

He said the city veterinarian has also been thoroughly inspecting pork sold in the auxiliary wet market.

Ortega had advised residents to practice roper food handling, remain calm and refrain from sharing false information.

Edited by TSB