Pigs in three Occ. Mindoro towns test negative for ASF —DA-BAI

Pigs in three towns in Occidental Mindoro have tested negative for African Swine Fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said Friday.

In a news release, the DA-BAI said the latest analysis of blood samples from pigs in the towns of San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Rizal yielded negative results.

The tests were conducted after the province of Occidental Mindoro set up meat inspection checkpoints and quarantined producers after announcing an ASF outbreak in the three towns last week.

“The latest blood tests were conducted to secure Recognition of Active Surveillance on ASF (RAS-ASF), which shows there aren’t any active cases of ASF in a specified place,” the DA-BAI said.

“The tests, conducted at the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, confirmed the absence of ASF in the local pig population,” it said.

The DA-BAI said following the negative results, the three municipalities have taken a proactive step by applying for the RAS-ASF from the agency.

“Aside from assurances that there are no active ASF cases within the municipality, the certification also serves as a prerequisite for allowing the entry and exit of pigs in Occidental Mindoro,” it said.

“This measure is implemented to prevent the potential spread of ASF and maintain the biosecurity of pig farms in the province,” it added.

The Agriculture Department said success in mitigating the spread of ASF can be attributed to the effective collaboration between the agency, local government units, and various agencies. 

“This underscores the importance of coordinated actions in addressing and preventing the outbreak of infectious animal diseases,” the DA-BAI said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News