The Philippines: Ilocos Norte recovers from ASF

Based on the Bureau of Animal Industry's ASF situation update, Ilocos Norte is among 12 provinces in the country that have successfully recovered from ASF. It is now under the yellow zone (surveillance zone) because it remains at risk due to its dense swine population and high volume of pig, pork, and pork product trade.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela reiterated the importance of biosecurity and shifting from traditional practices to biosecure-conforming actions to prevent the disease from reinfecting the multi-billion-peso hog industry.

Since the Department of Agriculture confirmed the first ASF outbreak in the Philippines in July 2019, 76 of its 82 provinces have experienced outbreaks.

As of May 8, at least eight barangays in seven cities and municipalities across seven provinces reported active ASF cases. The number of affected barangays has declined by 88 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.