ILOILO – Hog depopulation in “red zone” municipalities has so far reached 1,365 heads. It aims to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the depopulation is being carried out in containment areas which are within the 0.5-kilometer radius of ground zero of confirmed ASF cases.
Oton town has the most number of depopulated hogs at 834, followed by San Miguel with 218, Santa Barbara with 144, Leganes wit 122, and Alimodian with 57.
Oton was where the first ASF cases of the province were detected.
From these towns, a total of 47 barangays have confirmed cases of ASF affecting 156 hog raisers.
The number of affected areas could still increase as there are still pending test results.
Defensor urged municipalities, especially those under pink zone such as Tigbauan, Zarraga, Pavia, Leon, Mina, New Lucena, Cabatuan, and Maasin, to hold “pork festivals” to raise public awareness on ASF and help hog raisers affected by the outbreak./PN
