The number of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in the country has further declined, with only 39 barangays nationwide reported as active infections, according to Agriculture Assistant Secretary and DA Spokesperson Arnel V. De Mesa during a media briefing at the Department of Agriculture on March 19, 2025.
“As of March 14, 2025, lalo pa bumaba ang number of active cases to 39 barangays in 27 municipalities and 7 regions—karamihan nito ay nasa Region 7 in particular sa Bohol,” Asec. Arnel De Mesa said.
He mentioned that the ASF cases were last monitored in Region 4A-Sta. Maria, Laguna, which has already been controlled and prevented from spreading to other cities.
Asec. De Mesa attributed the decline in active cases to the strong cooperation among pork industry stakeholders and the government’s intensified efforts, particularly in enhancing biosecurity measures and administering ASF vaccines in affected areas.
According to him, the Department, through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has administered nearly 28,000 doses of ASF vaccines, primarily in Regions III and IV-A.
“Out of the 29 farms that participated in ASF vaccination, 28,000 doses of vaccines were administered, out of the 160,000 vaccines available. There are 51 mortalities, napakaliit nito kumpara doon sa 27,937 na-administered. Pigs are apparently healthy,” Asec. De Mesa said.
He further noted that initial reports from BAI indicate the vaccines from Vietnam are effective and safe. While they are not yet commercially available and are still waiting for accreditation from the Food and Drug Administration, the results so far have been promising, with minimal mortality compared to the number of doses administered.
De Mesa also emphasized the Department’s commitment, along with the entire livestock industry, to effectively controlling the ASF and Avian Influenza.
He expressed optimism, based on discussions with stakeholders, that the hog industry will experience a “significant rebound” within the year.
“It will take some time to recover kasi malaking population ang nawala at marami rin ang numerong na-cull because of what happened last year. Hindi naman iyan immediate na maka-recover ang babuyan,” he explained.
“Base sa projection, they are expecting na within the year ay maka-recover ng malaki substantially ang hog industry in terms of population, because of improved number ng pagbaba ng cases at pagbabakuna,” he added.
Meanwhile, preparations are also underway for avian flu vaccination. There are currently no active cases of avian flu in the country.
“While wala tayong active case ng avian influenza, patuloy pa rin ang processing ng vaccines for avian influenza dahil highly pathogenic pa rin ito at one of the transboundary diseases ng mga animals, kaya importante rin na magkaroon ng bakuna kasi malaking industriya na umaasa dito sa poultry, layer, and egg na hindi maapektuhan ng avian influenza,” Asec. De Mesa said. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
