Iloilo City now under ‘red zone’ for ASF

Iloilo City has been placed under the “red zone” classification due to the detection of more cases of African swine fever (ASF).

Two blood samples from Barangay Bito-on in Jaro district tested positive for the ASF virus, according to the city government.

Dr. Suzette Leal of the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV), said the results were released by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory on Dec. 2.

The city recorded its first ASF case on Nov. 24 after one of the 17 samples from Zone 5, Barangay Tacas, also in Jaro tested positive for the virus.

Under the red zone classification, the movement of live pigs, pork and pork products (either fresh, frozen, or uncooked processed products except those which are cooked and canned), and swine genetic materials in and out of city is prohibited.

Based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Administrative Order 52, a municipality or city is tagged as a red or infected zone should two or more barangays were affected by the virus.IMT