Fresh cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported in the Philippines and South Korea
According to reporting in the Manila Times, outbreaks of ASF have been reported in four remote villages in Abra province in the Philippines, with seven ASF-infected pigs identified in Boliney, a provincial town. Outbreaks were also reported in Malibcong, Daguioman and Tineg.
The Boliney Municipal Agriculture Office believes that the virus spread in April after a resident of the town brought home a wild boar, and Boliney’s Mayor, Benido Balao-as, has temporarily prohibited hunting within the town, and banned the transportation of pig meat.
“We are also implementing biosecurity measures like depopulation, disinfection and regular reporting through barangay officials and the local government unit,” Balao-as said.
In South Korea, and outbreak of ASF was reported at a farm with 401 pigs in Gangwon Province. The Ministry of Agriculture said that all pigs at the farm were culled immediately as part of biosecurity measures.
“It is unfortunate to discover another African swine fever case despite our concentrated quarantine efforts,” said acting Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki.
“All measures must be preemptively and boldly made, and I ask related ministries to concentrate all of their resources to actively cooperate in controlling the outbreak.”