ZAMBOANGA CITY – Hog mortalities from African swine fever (ASF) have reached 3,178, the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) said Monday.
Dr. Mario Arriola, OCVet chief, said the upsurge came about after 201 additional hog deaths were recorded by his office on Sunday.
Arriola said 838 hog raisers in 29 out of this city’s 98 barangays are affected by the ASF.
“The ASF-hit barangays are spread out in the seven veterinary districts,” he said. “Zamboanga City remains in the red zone classification of ASF."
The OCVet is currently conducting a census and geotagging as the cases of ASF continue to spread in this city.
Most of the hog mortalities were recorded in Vitali district with 955; Manicahan district, 838; and Tumaga district, 787.
Arriola said Tumaga district has the highest number of barangays and hog raisers affected with nine and 318, respectively, as it ranked third in terms of hog mortalities.
He added that at least 889 hogs were so far culled here as 17 more pigs showed ASF symptoms as of Sunday.
He called on the public to monitor and immediately report hog illnesses and deaths in their community. (PNA)
