AKLAN – Six municipalities in this province are still classified as red zones for African Swine Fever (ASF), according to the latest zoning standards of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
The towns of Altavas, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, and Tangalan are marked as red zones or with confirmed outbreaks of ASF.
The six other towns – Balete, Banga, Batan, New Washington, Madalag, Malinao, Numancia, Makato, Nabas, and Malay – remained in pink or buffer zone status, while the town of Buruanga has been placed under surveillance zone.
Data from BAI’s National ASF Prevention and Control Program on September 12, 2024 showed Belison and Hamtic in the province of Antique are also in the red zone. In Capiz, the municipalities of Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao, Jamindan, Ma-ayon, and Mambusao were classified in pink zone.
A DA circular allows the movement of hogs in red or barangays with active ASF cases “outside the 500-meter up to 1-kilometer radius” to prevent shortage in the supply of pork during the holidays.
The movement of live pigs, however, from both infected farms and areas within the 500-meter radius of red zones, is still strictly prohibited.
A red zone includes towns or cities with confirmed ASF outbreaks. A confirmed outbreak is when an ASF is detected in one barangay and spread to other barangays of the municipality within 15 days.
As of September 12, there were 444 cities and towns in the country that transitioned from red to pink zone./PN
