ASF Checkpoint (Photo courtesy of Mondragon MPS)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — The local government of Catarman has enhanced its monitoring and investigation efforts regarding the possible presence of African Swine Fever (ASF), following the confirmation of 77 dead swine in Bocsol.
Salvacion, New Rizal, and several other areas have also been identified as affected barangays, as confirmed by the Municipal Agriculture Office.
The office has confirmed that no confirmed ASF cases have yet been reported in the area, although some symptoms have been observed.
To ensure safety, Municipal Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales III has instructed the Municipal Agriculture Office to conduct random blood tests on pigs in all barangays near areas affected by ASF.
He has also mandated the meat inspection team to perform blood sampling thrice weekly, specifically at the slaughterhouse.
“Because we are in a pink zone with reports of infected pigs, I will write a letter to our nearby towns, particularly Mondragon, Bobon, and Lope de Vega, to be aware and strictly monitor the transport of pigs coming from our town to control the spread of ASF,” Rosales said.
In the previous ASF incident, the towns of Las Navas, Laoang, and Catubig were confirmed to be affected by ASF. As a result, the provincial government issued Executive Order No. 2025-02-01, which prohibits the movement of live pigs and pork products from these areas.
The recent report from January this year also confirmed ASF cases in Catarman, Bobon, and Victoria. Dr. Faith Tenedero from the Provincial Veterinary Office stated that swill feeding is the cause of the transmission.
An ongoing awareness campaign, such as a radio program and announcement campaigns, specifically targets backyard piggery owners and small hog raisers to encourage them to follow the biosecurity measures enforced by the office to mitigate the spread of ASF.
A small backyard piggery that is closely monitored and managed by Ronald Acibar. (Photo: PIA N. Samar)
Ronald Acibar, the caretaker of a small piggery, said that to protect his piglets, he never lets anyone near the pig pen and ensures that the pigs only eat commercial feed. (AND, PIA Northern Samar)
