The African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread to six areas in Batangas as of Thursday, August 8, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).
Up to 1,523 hogs have been culled following an infection that has spread to 17 barangays in Lobo, five in Calatagan, two each in Talisay and Lian, and one each in Rosario and Lipa, said PVO Chief Romelito Marasigan.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said it is the department's priority to acquire and distribute 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines to mitigate the outbreak.
This emergency procurement may axe two weeks off the purchase period, and so Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has ordered the Bids and Awards Committee and Bureau of Animal Industry under the DA to begin formalizing it.
Following reports of hog deaths, the outbreak was first reported last month, on July 16, and confirmed as ASF after.
The virus may have spread as rapidly as it has due to backyard hog raising, which is prevalent in Lobo.
