ASF-affected barangays drop to 133 in January, DA attributes decline to strict border controls and vaccination

The number of African swine fever (ASF)-affected barangays in the Philippines decreased in January, according to a report from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

As of January 10, the number of affected barangays dropped to 133 in 34 cities and municipalities, down from 225 on December 27, 2024.

The affected areas are spread across eight regions including CAR, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen.

North Cotabato's Midsayap and Pigkawayan have the highest number of red zones with 18 each, followed by Kidapawan City with 15, Matalam with 13, and Rizal in Kalinga with 10.

The Department of Agriculture attributes the decline to stringent border checkpoints and government-controlled vaccination using AVAC live vaccines.

To prevent further spread, the DA aims to distribute 490,000 doses of ASF AVAC live vaccines to healthy hogs across the country.