President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas to test all pig breeding sites in the region to control the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Testing all breeding farms for ASF, according to Marcos, is one of the most effective ways of controlling the spread of the infection.
Such precaution may be necessary since there were reports ASF could be spread by mosquitoes, he said.
Marcos, who visited Bacolod City to grace the celebration of the Masskara Festival on Oct. 23, was briefed by DA-6 about the cases of ASF in the region, particularly in Iloilo.
He said all measures to prevent the spread of the highly contagious swine disease are already in place, including banning pork products from infested areas.
The first ASF case in Iloilo and the whole Western Visayas region was logged in the town of Oton. There’s also a confirmed case in San Miguel town.
The two towns are currently under a state of calamity.
Meanwhile, the President said reports that ASF is spread through mosquitos is a major challenge in controlling the disease.IMT
