Suspected ASF cases detected in Borongan
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TACLOBAN CITY — The Borongan City government in Eastern Samar is closely monitoring two villages following suspected cases of the African swine fever (ASF) that reportedly led to the deaths of several pigs.
Dr. John Adrian Ang, city veterinarian, said a temporary lockdown has been recommended in Barangays Siha and San Jose to contain a possible ASF outbreak.
“In our most recent monitoring, we have indeed observed suspected cases of African swine fever,” Ang said in a media interview.
In Barangay San Jose, 127 pigs from 21 backyard farms had died, while Barangay Siha had also reported a high number of pig deaths, though the exact figures were still being verified.
The city government on April 22 ordered a halt to the selling, transport, and slaughter of pigs in the affected areas.
Neighboring barangays such as San Gabriel were also under close watch.
Ang said ASF symptoms include skin rashes, weakness, loss of appetite, miscarriages in pregnant sows, and sudden death.
“If several pigs die all at once in a farm, that’s one of the clear signs,” he said.
While no laboratory confirmation had been made yet, the City Veterinary Office (CVO) was relying on symptom-based diagnosis.
Blood samples from suspected areas would be collected between April 28 and 30 for confirmatory testing.
If ASF were confirmed, culling of all pigs within a 0.5-kilometer radius would be carried out, Ang said.
His office was also strengthening the implementation of its “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” biosecurity campaign.
Hog raisers were urged to install disinfection areas and restrict farm visitors.
“Sad to say, ASF is now here to stay. It will keep coming back to Borongan unless a vaccine is developed by experts,” Ang said.
He encouraged residents to report pig deaths to the CVO immediately.
Owners of affected hogs may be eligible for government assistance under the ASF Indemnification Program.
Monitoring efforts have also expanded to other barangays, including Tabunan and Maypangdan, as the city ramps up its ASF prevention and control measures.
The city government earlier imposed a 15-day pork holiday, which started on April 4, after ASF-confirmed cases in a pig farm of the Eastern Samar State University located in Barangay Maypangdan.
According to the National Meat Inspection Service, ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, warthogs, and boars.
It causes pigs to have a high fever and lose their appetite and causes hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs.
Pigs die in a span of two to 10 days upon affliction. There is no known vaccine yet against ASF.
Health officials reiterated that ASF does not pose any threats to humans and that other pork products from infected areas were safe to eat.
READ: Eastern Samar capital declares ‘pork holiday’ due to ASF
