MANILA, Philippines — Alarm bells are ringing for hog raisers as cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported in Nueva Vizcaya.
The Provincial Veterinary Services Office confirmed 23 new ASF cases so far this year, hitting the municipalities of Kasibu, Bayombong and Villaverde and threatening the province’s struggling swine industry.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Patricio Moreno said the cases were sporadic.
“The ASF did not spread to other localities, as no other cases were reported,” Moreno told officials during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.
The virus that wiped out millions of pesos worth of hogs in past years remains under watch, even as the provincial government pushed back with recovery efforts.
With support from the Department of Agriculture, two Nueva Vizcaya municipalities received P10 million each under the Swine Repopulation Project.
The funds will go to gilts, feeds, and veterinary supplies aimed at rebuilding herds through biosecure, science-based farming.