African swine fever hits parts of Cagayan, Isabela, N. Vizcaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY – The African swine fever (ASF) struck parts of the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, which prompted local officials to set up checkpoints.

Dr. Manuel Galang Jr., Department of Agriculture-Cagayan Valley anti-ASF focal person, on Saturday said that the agriculture department and local government units have imposed a pork ban in affected areas to contain the virus while the Regional African Swine Fever Task Force has set up checkpoints.

Affected areas include the towns of Sta. Fe, Dupax Del Norte, Dupax Del Sur and Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya; Angadanan and San Guillermo in Isabela and Enrile and Iguig in Cagayan.

At least 124 pigs have so far been culled in affected areas in the region.

In Isabela, 17 pigs were culled in San Guillermo town while 46 heads died and were buried by hog raisers in District 1 and Anonang villages, Isabela veterinary records showed.

In Angadanan town, 24  were culled while 39 died and were buried in La Suerte village.

Galang, however, said the cases are still “isolated” and that only few villages in the affected areas were recorded.

Galang said at least 600,000 doses of anti-ASF vaccines are expected to arrive soon.