Up to 284 dead pigs in Lamitan City, Basilan have tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

According to the local government, blood samples were taken from the dead pigs for examination.

The pigs were raised by 113 hog raisers in the city.

The city veterinarian said the first suspected case originated from Barangay Calusugan where the owner was reportedly engaged in the hog business involving pigs sourced from Zamboanga City.

This information is based on the office’s disease surveillance and contact-tracing efforts.

However, the matter is still under investigation.

Because of this, the local government has intensified the implementation of containment measures in the city, including depopulation, strict enforcement of biosecurity protocols, and movement restrictions through quarantine checkpoints.

The local government also urged residents to report immediately pigs that show signs of the illness or pigs that have died to allow authorities to conduct proper inspection and monitoring.