The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared that Bohol remains free of African Swine Fever (ASF) after successfully containing an outbreak that occurred last month. The province has maintained its green zone status, which means that no ASF cases have been detected among its live hogs.
According to a letter from the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bohol passed a series of reviews and tests that confirmed the absence of the virus in the island.
The letter was addressed to DA-7’s Regional Executive Director, Angel Enriquez, who commended the efforts of the provincial government and the local hog raisers in preventing the spread of ASF.
The first and only case of ASF in Bohol was reported in Barangay San Vicente, Pilar, last July.
The provincial government, led by Governor Aris Aumentado, immediately implemented strict biosecurity measures and regular monitoring to contain the outbreak.
The affected hogs were culled and disposed of properly, while the affected farmers were compensated and assisted.
Governor Aumentado said that Bohol will continue to protect its 6-billion peso hog industry and the 48 thousand Boholanos involved in hog-raising, in line with the Strategic Change Agenda.
He urged the public to support the local pork products and to report any suspicious cases of ASF to the authorities.
ASF is a highly contagious disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. It does not pose a threat to human health, but it can cause severe economic losses to the swine sector.
The DA has been implementing various programs and policies to control ASF and to support the recovery of the affected areas.