As per our monitoring, the test results for the past three months in Rizal areas are negative. Using the technicalities, those earlier reported outbreak areas are ASF-free.

The country’s P300-billion swine industry is recovering from an outbreak of the African swine fever (ASF) virus that killed over 140,000 hogs in 600 Barangays in Luzon.

This was confirmed by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Wednesday who said the number of ASF cases have fallen as a result of efficient and effective management strategies.

“The outbreak is decreasing. It’s a good sign that the outbreak occurrence is tapering down. But we are not saying the Philippines is ASF-free. We are not there yet,” Dar told reporters.

“We are not saying that the ASF is totally gone and contained. Please let us not make that message again because it is still there (although) it is slowing down,” he added.

Dar explained that areas as Rodriguez in Rizal, which was ground zero of the outbreak, are already cleared of the virus.

“As per our monitoring, the test results for the past three months in Rizal areas are negative. Using the technicalities, those earlier reported outbreak areas are ASF-free,” Dar said.

“We are cautious in announcing whether an area is ASF-free because there has to be a minimum of 90-day observation,” the cabinet official underscored.

To wipe out the infections completely, the agriculture department implemented a zoning plan to more efficiently and effectively control and contain the spread of the hog disease.

Dar said the zoning approach via intensified surveillance and animal movement management would be instrumental in the successful eradication of the disease.

The DA formally issued Administrative Circular 12 dated 10 December the previous Tuesday.

The order mandated the establishment of zones across the country and the level of risks of regions in relation to ASF.

Under the plan, provinces and regions are classified based on their ASF status with corresponding guidelines on the extent of whether they are allowed to transport and sell hogs, pork and pork products or not.

The regions are classified under two general zones: containment zone and free zones. These general zones are further divided into four zones depending on the area’s ASF status: red for infected, yellow for surveillance, pink for buffer zone and light green for the protected zone.

Infected zones or areas with confirmed cases of ASF includes Mapandan and Bayambang in Pangasinan; Cabanatuan City, Palayan City, Quezon, San Isidro, Santa Rosa, Zaragoza, Cabiao and Gapan City in Nueva Ecija; Dasmariñas City, Imus City, General Trias and Bacoor in Cavite; and Rodriguez, Antipolo City, San Mateo and Taytay in Rizal.

The order identified the yellow zone as high-risk areas with a dense population of swine and volume of trade of pig and pork products.

The order identified Regions 1 (except Pangasinan), 2 and 5 (except Masbate and Catanduanes) as protected zone since they have no recorded cases of ASF.

They are also considered low-risk provinces but are contiguous with yellow zones in terms of landmass.