African swine fever infection surges in Philippines

Philippines Department of Agriculture on Thursday reported that African swine fever infection has surged since 2022.

Samuel Joseph Castro, an official of the department’s Bureau of Animal Industry said the highly infectious hog disease continues to ravage 21 provinces, 54 towns and cities, and 137 villages across the Philippines.

The government had on Tuesday kicked off a campaign to raise public awareness of the virus’s threat and urge people to take precautions against it.

To contain the animal disease and revitalise the country’s swine industry, the department had updated its national plan for the prevention and control of the virus.

It had also enforced strict surveillance and investigation, and intensified coordination with local government units.

African swine fever was first detected in the Philippines in 2019, leading to the culling of thousands of pigs and forcing the government to ramp up meat importation.

Currently affecting several regions around the world, and with no effective vaccine, the disease is not only impeding animal health and welfare but has also detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the livelihoods of farmers.