An ASF quarantine checkpoint mounted along the Antipas-Pres. Roxas highway in North Cotabato province. (File photo by John Andrew Tabugoc)
KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Losses due to African swine fever (ASF) in the province have reached PHP10.3 million, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) said Wednesday.
Dr. Rufino Sorupia, provincial veterinarian, said the hog disease was monitored in at least 18 barangays of four towns in the province.
"Depopulation is a must to contain the disease and deter the possible outbreak in coordination with the Philippine National Police," he said.
Based on the OPVet data, 106 hog raisers were affected by the infestation.
The affected barangays include Magsaysay, Poblacion, Datu Agod, Malire, Kiyaab, Luhong, New Pontevedra, and Malatab in Antipas; and Poblacion and Idaoman in President Roxas town.
Also included are San Vicente, Bulacanon, Poblacion, Saguing, and Libertad in Makilala; and New Panay, Malagakit, and Banucagon in Pigcawayan town.
Random blood samples were also made mandatory in areas within a 5-kilometer radius of the ground zero.
Sorupia said mandatory checkpoints were put up in border areas to step up measures against the transport and entry of infected pork products. (PNA)
