African swine fever (ASF) cases in affected local government units in Negros Oriental have been contained following the culling of infected hogs, although authorities continue to monitor the province for possible new infections, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said Thursday, July 23.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Melody Vilan said all 66 blood samples collected from pigs in La Libertad town tested negative for ASF based on laboratory results from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
“The BAI confirmed that all blood samples collected from the different barangays of La Libertad are negative for ASF,” Vilan said.
Previously, five hogs were reported positive for ASF in La Libertad, prompting the PVO to collect blood samples in all the town’s barangays.
She said the PVO has requested the BAI to issue an ASF-free certification for La Libertad following the negative test results.
Vilan said the province has completed the culling of infected and exposed hogs in previously affected areas.
As of July 17, authorities had culled 11 ASF-infected pigs in Tanjay City – three in Barangay San Miguel, six in Barangay Polo, and two in Barangay Sta. Cruz Nuevo.
In Amlan town, 25 hogs were also culled, including ASF-positive animals and those exposed after being housed in the same pig pens.
Despite the absence of new hog deaths and ASF-positive cases, surveillance and monitoring remain ongoing to ensure the disease does not spread to other areas, Vilan said.
Blood sampling in Canlaon City and Mabinay was scheduled for Thursday, while similar surveillance activities in the remaining LGUs are set for next week.
Vilan said there is currently no need to place Negros Oriental under a state of calamity due to ASF, adding that border control measures remain in force to prevent the entry of live pigs from provinces with confirmed ASF cases.
Negros Oriental was among the Visayas provinces affected by the ASF outbreak, alongside Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Iloilo, prompting the Department of Agriculture to impose stricter quarantine measures and intensify surveillance in the region.
ASF, which poses no threat to human health but is highly fatal to pigs, continues to affect hog populations across the country. In May 2025, the DA reported active ASF cases in 25 provinces, with Western Visayas having the highest number of active cases at 21.
The DA has allocated PHP700 million in indemnification funds for hog raisers whose pigs were culled due to ASF. Affected farmers may receive up to PHP5,000 per hog culled, provided they meet documentary requirements.
The BAI has also been collaborating with local government units to strengthen biosecurity measures and promote repopulation efforts in cleared areas. *PNA
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