In Baguio City, the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) is calling on local hog farmers to join the trial phase of a vaccine aimed at combating African swine fever (ASF). Dr. Kevin Luna, who leads the regulatory efforts at the DA-CAR’s Livestock Division, announced that the Bureau of Animal Industry has provided 10,000 vials of the vaccine specifically for use in the Cordillera region. The trials, previously conducted in Southern Luzon, are now expanding to assess the vaccine’s effectiveness under the unique environmental conditions of the Cordillera.
The vaccine is intended for use in areas free from ASF for at least 40 days, or in regions with negative ASF surveillance results categorized as red or pink zones. Dr. Luna emphasized that farms participating in the trial must strengthen their biosecurity measures to prevent further outbreaks of the disease.
From January to October 2024, the Cordillera region reported 214 ASF cases, impacting 96 villages across 40 municipalities. This number is significantly higher than the 54 cases reported throughout 2023. Abra topped the list with the highest number of cases, followed by Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Benguet. In 2022, the region saw 209 cases affecting all its provinces.
Dr. Luna stressed the crucial role of local governments in managing ASF, particularly in surveillance and preventing the entry of infected animals into their jurisdictions. This initiative comes amidst the backdrop of the Adivay festival and the 124th Foundation Day of Benguet, where pig-catching competitions highlighted the region’s efforts to engage the community in ASF prevention and awareness.