ASF confirmed in Commonwealth

Cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been confirmed in Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte.

But in an interview yesterday, Belmonte said they expect the barangay to be declared ASF-free this week as there are only 164 pigs that have to be culled.

City veterinarian Ana Marie Cabel said they immediately started culling the pigs in Commonwealth following the confirmation that some of those that died recently have contracted the ASF virus.

Belmonte said they have also submitted to the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA) blood samples from pigs that died recently in Barangay Old Balara.

She said they have yet to receive confirmation if the pigs were infected by the ASF virus.

Earlier, the mayor said four other Quezon City barangays with confirmed cases of ASF have been declared free from the disease following the completion of the culling of all pigs in the affected areas. These are Bagong Silangan, Tatalon, Tandang Sora and Pasong Tamo.

She said the only barangay that is facing challenges on addressing ASF is Payatas, primarily due to underreported number of pigs in the barangay.

The mayor said they learned that the number of pigs that they have to cull in Payatas could reach as many as 5,000, significantly higher than the 1,500 pigs reported to the city hall by barangay officials.

The budget allocated for financial assistance to hog owners can only cover 5,000 pigs in the entire city, said Belmonte.

With the higher number of pigs that needed to be culled, she said the city has to look for funding to support the hog owners, as well as ensure that there are proper burial sites for the culled pigs.

She said the DA has committed to provide assistance to hog owners in Quezon City who were affected by ASF.