African swine fever (ASF) has hit four provinces in the Cagayan Valley, leaving only 22 towns in the region ASF-free, Cagayan Regional Director Narciso Edillo said.
He explained that the illegal importation of contaminated meat may have caused the spread of ASF across the provinces of Isabela, Vizcaya, Quirino, and Cagayan.
According to the Department of Agriculture-Region 2, Batanes remains free from the virus.
“Nagkakaroon ng disinfections ng mga farms and backyards, lalo na ‘yung mga backyards kasi dito sa Region 2, 95% ay backyards,” Edillo said.
In a separate radio interview on Monday (Aug. 30), Cagayan province’s acting veterinarian Dr. Noli Buen said about 1,411 hog farmers are affected by the spread of ASF, while more than 5,500 hogs have been culled. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla / CF – jlo
