December 5, 2024

 

Philippines pushes ASF vaccine testing in Cordillera region

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is calling on swine farmers to participate in the trial of a vaccine aimed at combating African swine fever (ASF).

 

Dr Kevin Luna, regulatory chief of the Livestock Division of DA-CAR, highlighted that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has allocated approximately 10,000 vials of the vaccine for use in the region.

 

"We are in the testing process of the vaccine. It was done in southern Luzon, and we hope to participate to see the viability of the vaccine in our area considering factors like environment, which is also contributory to the health of animals," Luna said.

 

The vaccine is intended for swine in areas that have been free from active ASF cases for at least 40 days or those with negative ASF surveillance results in designated red and pink zones.

 

Farm owners and managers administering the vaccine will be required to enhance biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of further ASF outbreaks.

 

From January to October 2024, the Cordillera region recorded 214 ASF cases affecting 96 villages across 40 municipalities. This represents a significant increase compared to the 54 cases reported for the entire year of 2023.

 

Abra registered the highest number of cases, followed by Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Benguet. In 2022, a total of 209 cases were recorded across all provinces in the region.

 

Luna emphasised the critical role of local government units in ASF surveillance and preventing the movement of affected animals into their jurisdictions.

 

-      Philippine News Agency