EIGHT cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were recorded in three Benguet towns.
Provincial Veterinarian Miriam Tiongan during the ASF emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 4, together with the representatives from 13 towns, Department of Agriculture - Cordillera revealed cases were reported in Tuba, La Trinidad and Itogon.
Tiongan said two cases were reported in Camp 4 and one each in Camp 1 and 6 all in Tuba; one in Beckel, in La Trinidad; one in Poblacion, Kabayan; and another reported in Loacan and Tinongdan in Itogon.
"ASF is here in Benguet. We hope as much as possible we can contain the movement," Tiongan added.
Benguet officials have declared red zone for ASF infected barangays and green zone for non-ASF infected barangays in the province while defining local movement protocols of swine, pork and pork products to curb the spread of the disease in the province based on the Provincial Executive Order 12-2020 issued by Governor Melchor Diclas on March 3.
Declared as red zones are Camp 4, Taloy Sur and Camp 1 in Tuba; Beckel in La Trinidad; Loacan and Tinongdan in Itogon and Poblacion, Kabayan.
The executive order stated all other barangays of the province negative of ASF will be declared as green zone.
However, in the event that other barangays of the province will be infected with the disease based on ASF screening test/ laboratory test, it will be automatically declared as red zone by the provincial governor of Benguet thru the Provincial Veterinarian.
Swine, pork, and pork products from the red zone are not allowed to be brought out from the respective infected barangay and will only be consumed within the barangay, but adjacent barangays near the red zone can trade their swine, pork and pork products.
Barangay officials and Municipal Agriculture Offices are also tasked to strictly monitor the implementation of the directive.
