LAOAG CITY — The Department of Agriculture in the Ilocos region said African swine fever (ASF) has infected hogs in farms in the barangay (village) of Pantay Fatima village in Ilocos Sur’s capital city of Vigan.
Vigan City Mayor Juan Carlo Medina said in a statement Friday that the nine whole blood samples collected from hogs in the village tested positive for the disease. The test results came out also Friday, August 27.
“Depopulation shall be done immediately for infected hogs and those exposed hogs within [the] 500-meter radius from infected premises,” according to Medina.
Medina said the affected hog raisers will be indemnified.
“While we are again faced with another health emergency, we assure you, with your partnership and cooperation, we can slowly and surely eradicate ASF,” the mayor added.
In nearby Sto. Domingo town, Mayor Bryan Dexter Tadena ordered that live hogs and pork products from other areas be barred entry to prevent the spread of ASF.