ASF Cases Reach 17 LGUs in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The number of local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental affected by African swine fever has increased to 17 after three more towns reported ASF cases. Local authorities said that although the number of ASF-affected areas has increased, the cases are more manageable now than during the previous outbreaks. Of the 90,981 total hog population in affected areas, only 2,338 ASF-related hog mortalities have been reported, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday. Lacson said the disease is not spreading as rapidly as during the initial outbreak. “We are controlling or managing it much better because of the lessons that we learned in the past,” Lacson said. The towns of Isabela, La Castellana and Binalbagan, all located in the southern part of Negros Occidental, were added to areas affected by the hog disease. Lacson clarified that while there were 17 LGUs that reported ASF cases, not all hog mortalities are related to ASF. He attributed the decline in the hog mortalities to improved and enhanced disease surveillance, stricter biosecurity measures and faster response protocols. The neighboring province of Negros Oriental also reported new confirmed ASF cases, particularly in the towns of Amlan and Siaton as well as in Tanjay City.