Palawan confirms first ASF case, steps up containment measures

CALAPAN CITY—The provincial government of Palawan has confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Barangay Concepcion, Agutaya, and has rolled out strict containment measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

Laboratory tests by the Bureau of Animal Industry showed that 40 samples collected from the village tested positive for ASF.

Authorities immediately set up quarantine checkpoints across Agutaya to regulate the movement of people, animals and materials that may carry the virus.

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The Provincial ASF Task Force convened on Sept. 25 and approved intensified response measures, including a three-day depopulation operation from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30 targeting remaining swine in the affected area to stop the chain of infection.

The Department of Agriculture in Mimaropa is supporting the provincial response by providing disinfectants, rapid test kits, technical guidance and standards for depopulation, indemnification, movement control, biosecurity and disease surveillance.

Active surveillance is ongoing in other parts of Agutaya to detect possible hidden cases through field investigations, sample collection and monitoring of unexplained illness or deaths among pigs.

The provincial government is also documenting losses among hog raisers. —IRE JOE V.C. LAURENTE