Sorsogon town bans transport of hogs, meat to curb spread of ASF

(AFP / file photo)

LEGAZPI CITY – The local government of Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon banned transport of hogs and pork products  outside the town after blood samples taken from pigs in a village were found to be positive for the African swine fever (ASF).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol confirmed the results of tests conducted on pigs in Sitio (sub village) Hinonangan and Sitio Buntay in the village of San Roque on Thursday (Sept. 1).

The blood samples from pigs in the village of San Antonio tested negative for ASF.

Sta. Magdalena Mayor Mark Jewery Lozano said they immediately closed the boundaries in the affected village while checkpoints were set up within the municipality to prevent the movement of animals and trade of meat to other towns.

“The other villages may still raise pigs because their areas are still clear of ASF, but as a preventive measure, we will not allow transport of hogs from our town to other nearby areas as we are still in red zone as declared by the DA,” Lozano said.

At least 39 hogs were culled on Friday in the sub-villages of Hinonangan and Buntay.

The 14 affected backyard farmers were given food packs, P5,000 financial assistance and other livelihood assistance packages.

Live pigs transported from the affected village the past 30 days would be traced and monitored.

Lozano added that blood samples would also be collected in other villages.

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