Bacolod: This highly urbanized city has logged four confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF) amid intensified biosecurity and border control measures to curb the transmission of the deadly hog disease.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press conference at the City Mayor's Office, Dr. Maria Agueda de la Torre, head of the City Veterinary Office, announced that hogs in Barangay Alijis and Barangay Taculing tested positive for ASF. The results were based on blood samples submitted for testing to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Western Visayas' Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Dr. de la Torre stated that the city will continue to implement border controls and conduct an information and education campaign, particularly in barangays with a hog population. Surveillance testing will also be conducted, and samples will be sent to the DA for further analysis.

Mayor Greg Gasataya, in his ASF prevention and containment order, directed the reactivation of 'Bantay ASF sa Barangay,' which involves barangays in the surveillance and monitoring of ASF. He also mandated stricter biosecurity measures, including cleaning and disinfection of farms, equipment, and transport vehicles, the use of footbaths, limiting farm visitors, and quarantining newly purchased or returned pigs for 30 days.

Mayor Gasataya emphasized that in cases of confirmed or suspected ASF, the City Veterinary Office will recommend quarantine areas and disease control zones, following national guidelines. In 2023, more than 800 hog raisers in Bacolod reported swine deaths due to ASF, which had nearly wiped out the backyard swine population in the city.