African Swine Fever in the Philippines, Explained But the real dilemma with ASF is the threat it poses
h ASF is the threat it poses to the local hog
And how it spells trouble for the agricultural economy.
By ANRI ICHIMURA | 6 days ago
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has just confirmed that African
Swine Fever (ASF) has reached the Philippines. In a press conference
held earlier today, Agriculture Secretary William Dar disclosed that
14 of the 20 blood samples sent to a United Kingdom laboratory
tested positive for ASF. Dar also confirmed that 7,416 hogs have
been culled so far.
This comes two weeks after the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
reported a spike in hog mortality, raising alarm that ASF, a deadly
swine disease, had reached out shores.
Dar previously refrained from mentioning the location of the affected
areas in an effort to contain the situation, but has since confirmed that
the worst hit areas are Rodriguez and Antipolo in Rizal and
Guiguinto in Bulacan.
In response to the first report of ASF, the DA strengthened its
monitoring and vigilance, imposing stricter quarantine measures at
the country’s ports of entry at land and sea. The DA has already
ordered the culling of all hogs within a one-kilometer radius of
infected farms in Bulacan and Rizal provinces. Meanwhile, swine
farms within a seven-kilometer radius will be checked by the BAI to
determine if a possible infection has occurred. Farms within a 10-
kilometer radius will be required to submit a mandatory report on the
disease. Movement of live pigs and pork products have been limited
in the area, and swill feeding has now been prohibited.
While the affected areas are being quarantined, the implications of
the disease infiltrating our local agriculture sector spell trouble for the
economy.
Understanding African Swine Fever
ASF is a highly contagious and dangerous disease for pigs, with the
ability to decimate entire populations if not detected and culled at
once. The disease is hemorrhagic in nature, causing infected pigs to
die within a matter of days. There is currently no cure or vaccine for
the disease, which is why governments have resorted to culling as the
only solution to preventing the disease’s spread.
ASF was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa at the start of the
20th century and its breakouts have been sporadic over the course of
one century. It has steadily been spreading across the world, first
traveling from Africa to Europe where countries such as Spain took
35 years to recover from an ASF outbreak. In recent years, the
disease has moved across the Eurasia continent, affecting countries
such as China, Mongolia, North Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnan, and
Cambodia. In China alone, more than one million hogs have already
been culled, and by the end of the year, the country expects to
slaughter an additional 200 million infected pigs.
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The disease has proven to be extremely resilient as it can survive
extreme temperatures and pH environments. ASF can survive up to
60 days in canned stew, 104 days in frozen meat, and 399 days days
in Parma hams. The disease only affects pigs, meaning it poses no
harm to human health, however humans can be carriers of the
disease. The main cause of the disease’s rapid spreading is the
contamination of vehicles and workers near affected pig populations,
with live pigs and pork products making up only 19 percent of the
causes of outbreaks.
industry, which is currently valued at over P200 billion.
An ASF-affected economy
If ASF in the Philippines is not contained and controlled, the disease
could cost the country its P200-billion hog industry, as well as the
livelihoods of millions of meat industry personnel.
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“Although it is not contagious to humans, the disease could wipe out
the hog population of a country,” said former Agriculture Secretary
Emmanuel Piñol.
China, which has been hit the hardest by ASF, has already
experienced the economic impacts of an ASF-affected market. ASF
wiped a third of its pig population, which has caused pork prices to
skyrocket, urging on foreign pork imports. The Philippine agriculture
industry could meet the same fate as China and be urged to import
more pork products in order to meet local demand, thereby
detrimentally affecting the local hog industry, including the farmers,
traders, and businessmen behind it.
Earlier this year, the DA began its precautionary measures to prevent
ASF’s spread to the Philippines as more and more surrounding
countries were reported to be infected with the virus. Meat products
from the following countries were banned from entering the country:
Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia,
Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, Zambia,
Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and North Korea.
However, isolated cases were reported in which a fridge full of
imported pork from China was found in Zambales and frozen
Chinese pork products were reportedly being sold in a store in
Manila.
To ensure that consumers do not become carriers of the deadly swine
disease, DA spokesperson Noel Reyes urges consumers to check that
the pork products they purchase have been stamped by the National
Meat Inspection Service.
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/african-swine-fever-
explained-a1926-20190909
Philippines culls 7,000 pigs in outbreak of African swine fever
Infected pigs found in two towns near capital Manila, as country
becomes latest to be hit by disease
Bibi van der Zee and agencies
@bibivanderzee
Mon 9 Sep 2019 10.46 BSTFirst published on Mon 9 Sep 2019 08.21
BST
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Pigs
Pork is a critical market for the Philippines and accounts for 60% of
meat consumption in the country. Photograph: Ina
Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images
The Philippines has reported its first cases of African swine fever,
becoming the latest country hit by the disease that has killed pigs
from Slovakia to China, pushing up pork prices worldwide.
The virus is not harmful to humans but causes haemorrhagic fever in
pigs that almost always ends in death. There is no antidote or vaccine
and the only known method to prevent the disease from spreading is a
mass cull of affected livestock.
Over the last year ASF has spread rapidly in Asia. The first official
outbreak was in China in August 2018, but it has since spread to
Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mongolia and North Korea.
The Philippine outbreak began with the identification of infected pigs
in two towns near the Philippine capital, Manila, and authorities have
culled more than 7,000 pigs within a one-kilometre (0.6-mile) radius,
said the agriculture minister, William Dar.
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He said the country was not facing an epidemic and urged Filipinos
to continue eating pork, which is a critical market and accounts for
60% of meat consumption in the Philippines.
The Asian country is the world’s eighth biggest pork producer by
volume and its swine industry is estimated at 260bn pesos (£4bn),
according to the agriculture department.
Dar said 14 of 20 samples sent to a UK laboratory tested positive for
African swine fever, but it would take a week to confirm how virulent
the strain is.
The virus was first recorded in Rodriguez town, six miles east of
Manila. Other undisclosed areas are being closely monitored for
possible infection, he added.
“We have never been in an epidemic, just to highlight that. We are
responding to the increased number of deaths of pigs,” Dar said.
Authorities suspect the swine fever cases stemmed from backyard
hog raisers who feed pigs “swill”, leftover food scraps from hotels
and restaurants.
The ministry added the virus could also be traced to smuggled frozen
meat and returning overseas Filipino workers who brought back
infected meat products.
China has been hit particularly hard by the virus; a report by
Rabobank last week estimated that by the end of 2019 the national
pig herd could halve as a result of the outbreak. There are suggestions
that China will open up their emergency frozen pork reserves in order
to deal with the problem. Prices there have doubled since July.
In countries like the US and Australia where the disease has not yet
appeared, governments are stepping up checks at airports and
dispersing advice on biosecurity. Experts estimate an outbreak in
Australia would cost the country US$34bn (£27bn).
The head of the UK’s National Pig Association, Zoe Davies, has
repeatedly warned of the dangers of ASF entering the UK. “We have
always maintained that the biggest threat to the UK pig herd is from
infected meat products that are illegally brought in from infected
regions that then find their way into the UK pig herd or feral boar
population,” she said recently.
“There’s a possibility that [ASF’s] here already, perhaps in
somebody’s fridge, because our checks on most of our borders right
now are not very good. The risk is high – and it’s a big concern for us
as an industry.”
In May, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization said pork
prices had risen by up to 50% both in China and on the Chicago
futures exchange.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/09/philippines-
confirms-first-swine-fever-cases
Philippines says African swine fever caused pigs' deaths
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 09 2019 10:18 AM
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MANILA -- Fourteen of 20 pig's blood samples sent to the United
Kingdom tested positive for African swine fever or ASF, Agriculture
Secretary William Dar said Monday, as he assured the public that
measures were in place to contain the disease.
Some 7,416 pigs within the 1-kilometer radius of the affected areas in
parts of Rizal and Bulacan have been culled, Dar said. These areas
are now considered "cleared" of the disease, he said.
The result of a separate test, which will determine strain and
virulence of ASF, is still pending, he said. The area was quarantined
in August after some hogs fell sick and died.
"We continue to monitor, even beyond the 10-kilometer radius. So
far, so good. No incidents," Dar told reporters.
Pork products sold in the market that have the NMIS or National
Meat Inspection Service seal are safe to eat, he said, as he advised the
public, especially those coming from abroad, to refrain from bringing
home pork products from countries with ASF.
"Mahirap ma-contain kung walang partisipasyon ng komunidad o
mga tao... Lahat, dapat natin gagawin, tulong-tulong otherwise, as
you said, it will be a lingering issue," he said.
(It will be difficult to contain if there is no community participation...
We should do everything, cooperate, otherwise, as you said, it will be
a lingering issue.)
Farmers whose pigs were slaughtered were given cash aid, Dar said.
The disease was first detected in some parts of Rodriguez and
Antipolo in Rizal and in a stockyard in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The Philippines currently has 12 million hogs in its inventory and the
industry is worth roughly P260 billion, Dar said.
The Southeast Asian nation last year put safeguards in place to
protect its $5 billion hog industry from the highly contagious disease,
for which there is no cure and no vaccine.
It has far banned pork and pork-based products from more than a
dozen countries, including Vietnam, Laos and China, where the
outbreak has spread throughout the mainland, as well as to Hong
Kong.
African swine fever causes high fever, loss of appetite, hemorrhages,
and death among domestic and wild pigs. It does not pose a health
risk to humans. -- with a report from Reuters
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/09/19/philippines-says-african-
swine-fever-caused-pigs-deaths
African swine fever is now in the Philippines. Should you be
alarmed?
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture on Monday
confirmed that African swine fever has caused deaths of pigs in some
parts of the Philippines, becoming the latest Asian nation to be
affected by the highly contagious viral disease.
In a press briefing, Agriculture chief William Dar said 14 out of the
20 blood samples sent to the United Kingdom tested positive for the
disease. Seven areas in Rizal and Bulacan—just outside the capital—
have been affected by ASF.
Related Stories
Death of some pigs linked to first case of African swine fever in
Philippines
The agency is waiting for the result of a separate test, which will
determine the strain and virulence of the disease.
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The DA is verifying reports of possible ASF cases in other areas but
stressed the country is not in an epidemic stage yet.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs
that has no cure and no vaccine. Mortality rates are as high as 100%.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health, ASF can be
transmitted through direct contact with infected pigs, ingestion of
contaminated materials such as food waste, feed or garbage, or
contaminated fomites or biological vectors.
Historically, there have been reported outbreaks in Africa and parts of
Europe, South Africa and the Carribean. More recently, the disease
has been reported in countries across Africa, Asia and Europe.
Not a public health risk
ASF is a contagious viral disease impacting only pigs, not humans,
making it not likely to cause alarm among health officials.
“ASF is not a risk to human health,” the international organization
said on its website.
Before the announcement that ASF is present in several areas in the
country, Dar, along with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and
hog industry stakeholders had a boodle fight for breakfast to show
that pork is safe to eat.
“We hope the public will understand, as we have shown today during
the boodle fight, it is safe [to eat pork],” Dar said.
Dar assured the public that measures are in place to contain the
disease.
The public is advised to buy meat that bears the stamp of the National
Meat Inspection Service. Those coming from abroad should refrain
from bringing home pork products from affected countries.
Concern for the hog industry
While ASF is not known to harm humans, the viral disease can cause
major economic loss to the country’s P260-billion swine industry.
The Philippines currently has more than 12 million hogs in its
inventory.
Last month, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the
possible entry of ASF is among the risks to inflation this year.
The Agriculture department said it has received P25-million fund to
prevent further spread of the disease. The agency is expecting an
additional P82-million fund.
Financial and livelihood assistance has been given to affected hog
raisers. The Cabinet also approved the creation of a National Task
Force on Swine Disease.
Philippine authorities earlier instituted a ban on imports coming from
China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, North Korea,
Laos, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa,
Zambia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Germany and
Romania.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/09/09/1950361/african-
swine-fever-now-philippines-should-you-be-
alarmed#hthVxrOA0MCWAdBP.99
African swine fever tests found positive in pigs in the Philippines
bringing it closer to Australia's shore
ABC Rural By national rural reporter Kath Sullivan
Posted Tue at 3:53pm
Domestic pigs
PHOTO: With ASF now on its doorstep, Australia's industry is
bracing for an outbreak. (ABC Rural: Jon Daly)
RELATED STORY: Biosecurity levy still in limbo as African swine
fever tipped to spreadRELATED STORY: Pigs are being buried alive
as China's African swine fever crisis deepensRELATED STORY:
From dog food to pork jerky: The fight to stop spread of African
swine fever
A deadly pig disease that has decimated herds across Asia has spread
closer to Australia with the Philippines confirming it has tested
positive to African swine fever (ASF).
A statement from the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA)
confirmed recent samples taken from a backyard farm in Rizal
province tested positive at a World Organisation for Animal Health
reference laboratory in the UK.
"We wish to announce the results of the confirmatory polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) test. It is African swine fever positive," the
statement said.
"Rest assured that the DA is on top of the situation. We are prepared
to respond to all scenarios."
Rural news in your inbox?
Subscribe for the national headlines of the day.
Australia's chief vet expects it will spread further, but was not
available to comment on The Philippines' statement.
Instead, a spokesman for the Australian Department of Agriculture
said it was not aware of an official notification via the World
Organisation for Animal Health.
"Australia's biosecurity system has been stepped up to counter the
threat of African swine fever," the spokesman said.
"The department suspended trade of high-risk pork products from
affected countries and banned travellers bringing in pork jerky from
all countries."
Dead pig burial in China
PHOTO: Since February, Hebei Xinda Livestock Company has
culled 20,000 pigs, 6,000 of which were buried alive. (Supplied: Da
Yu Enterprise Co)
African swine fever facts:
The virus is a highly contagious disease that can affect domestic and
wild pigs
It is usually fatal in infected pigs
There is no treatment or vaccine available
The most likely sources of infection are pork products, porcine
genetic material and incursions by infected pigs
Source: Australian Pork
The spokesman said the department would hold a simulation exercise
late this year "to test our disease response capabilities and make sure
we're as prepared as we can be".
African swine fever does not affect humans but is deadly in pigs.
Outbreaks have already been reported in China, Myanmar, Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia.
Australian Pork Limited estimates an outbreak of the disease in
Australia could have significant flow-on effects for the Australian
economy.
"We estimate the flow-on effect from losing any of our industries …
could go up to in excess of $50 billion, depending on the recovery
time frame," APL chief executive Margo Andrae said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-10/african-swine-fever-
confirmed-in-philippines/11497714
Philippines confirms African swine fever was “suspected” disease
The Department of Agriculture issued a statement Monday saying it
was vigorously enforcing the “1-7-10 Protocol” to manage, contain
and control the outbreak.
Sep 09, 2019
The Philippine Department of Agriculture has confirmed that African
swine fever was the “suspected” swine disease that broke out last
month in small backyard farms in the Rizal province and prompted
the depopulation of more than 7,000 hogs.
Upon receipt of incident reports, the DA immediately directed the
Bureau of Animal Industry to collect and send blood samples to the
World Reference Laboratory in Pirbright, England, which is also the
OIE Reference Laboratory for ASF. On Monday DA Secretary
William Dar announced the results of the Polymerase Chain Reaction
test was ASF, but says the country is still waiting to receive the viral
isolation test from the UK.
The DA issued a statement Monday saying it was vigorously
enforcing the “1-7-10 Protocol” to manage, contain and control the
outbreak. This means that within 1-kilometer radius of infected
farms, BAI and concerned DA Regional Field Offices have set up
quarantine checkpoints at strategic locations to prevent the movement
of all live pigs, pork and pork-related products. All pigs tested
positive within the area are culled. For swine farms within a 7-
kilometer radius, BAI and concerned RFO conduct surveillance
procedures, test animals to determine the extent of infection and limit
animal movement. Finally, in farms within a 10-kilometer radius,
mandatory disease reporting is required.
“We sent the samples to England to ascertain what really caused the
pig mortalities. To date, we believe we have successfully managed
the issue, as a misstep could erode the gains and competitiveness of
the country’s P260-billion-peso swine industry that provides and
sustains the livelihood of millions of Filipino families, as roughly
two-thirds or 65% of the industry is contributed by small backyard
raisers.
“We commend our Crisis Management Task Force on Swine for
overseeing the vigorous implementation of appropriate measures –
notably the “1-7-10 Protocol” – to effectively manage, contain and
control the situation, as well provide timely and accurate information
for all stakeholders and the general public.
“We also activated and mobilized respective Quick Response Teams
at DA Regional Field Offices to implemented complementary
measures.
“We maintain that meat and meat products — with appropriate NMIS
or National Meat Inspection Service seal and veterinary health
certificate issued by the DA-BAI and veterinary offices of LGUs —
sold in public markets are safe for human consumption.”
In addition to these measures, the DA has issued to date three
administrative orders:
Guidelines in securing certificate of farm disease-free status in
disease outbreak areas. This enables owners to get needed
certification from DA-BAI, declaring their farm is disease-free and
not affected by current swine disease in subject area.
Revised guidelines on the local movement of swine, pork, pork
products and pork by-products outside disease outbreak areas. This
policy strengthens current procedures on said subject.
Veterinary quarantine movement protocol during animal disease
outbreaks/emergencies. This ensures a protocol is in place and to
manage, contain and control a suspected swine disease.
The DA says while vigilance continues across the country, it
commends its partners in the local swine industry, local government
units, the military and the Philippine National Police for their strong
support, cooperation and assistance in the various measures carried
out on the ground.
“They have been engaged all throughout this episode — and we will
continue to do so — in keeping with the Department of Agriculture’s
policy of participatory and consultative decision-making.
“Rest assured that the DA is on top of the situation. We are prepared
to respond to all scenarios. We assure the public there is enough
supply of pork in the market.
“We are pleased to report that we have already suspended the ground
operations in Rizal and will now focus on cleaning and disinfection
operations. However, we will remain vigilant and continue to
vigorously conduct surveillance and quarantine measures.”
https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/animal-health/philippines- African swine fever is fatal and highly contagious for pigs, with no
confirms-african-swine-fever-was-suspected-disease known cure.

It can be transmitted through contaminated feeds, and even through

Philippines confirms African swine fever, culls 7,000 pigs non-living objects such as shoes, clothes and knives due to the virus'
Mass culling carried out at farms in 2 provinces in northern high resistance.
Philippines worst hit by highly-contagious disease.
The disease has been reported in China, Vietnam, Mongolia,
9 Sept 2019 Cambodia, Laos and North Korea.
The Philippines is the latest country to be hit by the disease, which
has ravaged pig herds in Asia [Alanah Torralba/EPA] Some experts have said the current spread of swine fever is the
The Philippines is the latest country to be hit by the disease, which largest known animal disease outbreak in history.
has ravaged pig herds in Asia [Alanah Torralba/EPA]
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Lab tests have confirmed that African swine fever caused the deaths
of pig herds in at least seven villages near Manila. A multi-agency
body will be set up to ensure the highly-contagious disease does not
spread further, Philippine officials said on Monday.

Secretary of Agriculture William Dar said at a news conference that

16 out of 20 blood samples sent to a British lab tested positive for the
disease, but further tests were needed.

"What hit us we don't know among the 35 strains," Dar said, referring
to the different strains of the virus with varying degrees of lethality.
He appealed to journalists to help the government prevent public
alarm that could hurt local pig farming.

Measles outbreak in the Philippines kills 55 children since 2019

(2:50)
More than 7,400 pigs have been culled on farms in villages in Rizal
and Bulacan provinces that were feared to have been hit by the viral
infection in recent months.

The Department of Agriculture is verifying reports of infections in

other areas, Dar said, but he refused to identify the areas.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, African

swine fever is not a risk to human health.

Despite confirmation of the infections, Philippine authorities are in

control of the problem and will further tighten quarantine checks,
including in airports and seaports, and crack down on smuggling of
imported meat to prevent large-scale outbreaks, officials said. They
assured that pork supply and prices will remain normal.

"The hog industry is one of the more critical industries in the country.
Let us not allow it to be affected in a big way," Dar said. "Everything
that has to be done by government with the help of the private sector
is being done."

The Philippines is the latest country in Asia to report the disease, with
hard-hit China and Vietnam culling millions of pigs and scrambling
to find a vaccine for an infection that has ravaged their swine
industries.

China is home to half of the world's pig population. In Vietnam

alone, the virus has caused the deaths of more than four million pigs.