By Nycel Jane Dela
After more than three years, African Swine Fever (ASF) has again resurfaced and infected hogs in the Province of Capiz.
The Provincial Veterinary Office of the Capiz Provincial Government of Capiz confirmed cases of ASF.
Hogs in the Municipalities of Pontevedra and Panitan, as well as Roxas City, are infected.
According to the Provincial Veterinary Advisory No. 1-Series of 2026, blood samples submitted for testing yielded positive results for ASF based on examinations conducted by the Regional Animal Diseases and Diagnostic Laboratory-Western Visayas of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Iloilo City.
Provincial veterinarians warned that the disease remains a serious threat to the local swine industry, noting that ASF has become endemic in parts of Western Visayas and continues to spread rapidly due to increased animal movement and changing environmental conditions.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. While it poses no direct risk to human health, it can cause severe economic losses to hog raisers due to high mortality rates among infected animals and restrictions on the transport and sale of pork products.
In response, provincial authorities have reiterated strict biosecurity measures and disease-control protocols to prevent further transmission.
Livestock raisers and the public are urged to immediately report any unusual illness or sudden deaths among pigs to their respective Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs) or City Veterinary Offices (CVOs).
The Provincial Veterinary Office also ordered swine farm owners to strengthen farm biosecurity by limiting visitor access, disinfecting vehicles and equipment entering farm premises, and isolating sick animals. The feeding of swill or kitchen waste to pigs remains strictly prohibited.
Consumers, meanwhile, are advised to purchase pork and pork by-products only from authorized sellers and establishments inspected by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) or certified by local authorities.
Authorities likewise warned against the illegal slaughter, disposal, or sale of sick and dead pigs, stressing that such practices could accelerate the spread of the virus and compromise disease-control efforts.
