Swine fever hits hog farms in another town in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Another town in Iloilo province has declared a state of calamity due to increasing cases of African swine fever (ASF) among its hog population.

The municipal council of San Miguel on Monday approved Mayor Marina Gorriceta’s request to place the town under a state of calamity after at least four blood samples taken from local hog farms tested positive for ASF, a fatal and highly contagious disease of domestic and wild pigs.

The local government said it would use a portion of its calamity fund for measures to contain ASF spread and help affected farmers.

“We cannot do anything but to declare [a state of calamity] because it (ASF cases) doesn’t seem to be stoppable [at this point],” Gorriceta said.

On Oct. 20, the municipal council of Oton also placed the town under a state of calamity due to the spread of ASF in 23 of its 37 villages.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city government would ban the entry of live hogs and pork products from San Miguel due to the outbreak.

—JOEY MARZAN

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