There are no more African Swine Fever red zones in Negros Occidental, with Bacolod City and Escalante City now classified as pink zones.
This was disclosed in the ASF Zoning update released by the National ASF Prevention and Control Program of the Bureau of Animal Industry on May 16.
The other areas in Negros Occidental already classified as pink zones are Kabankalan City, Hinigaran, La Castellana, Pulupandan, San Carlos, San Enrique, Silay City, Victorias City and Valladolid.
In Negros Oriental, Ayungon, Bais City, Manjuyod, Valencia and Vallehermoso have also been classified as pink zones.
Pink zones are areas previously infected, but the ASF virus has not been detected for at least 90 days, and thus has recovered from infected status, the Department Agriculture said.
Dr. Yasmin Tan, OIC of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Occidental, explained that those in the pink zone will still have to apply for sentinelling.
If the sentinel pigs do not die, they can proceed with raising pigs, she said.
Negros Occidental does not accept live pigs unless they are from accredited farms in green areas and only for breeding. The breeding pigs must also undergo RT PCR tests, Tan said.
Negros Occidental can be declared ASF-free when all of its areas are classified as green, Tan said.*