Deadly Pig Disease Spreads to South of Main Philippine Island
Deadly Pig Disease Spreads to South of Main Philippine Island
(Bloomberg) -- African swine fever was detected in two more provinces in the Philippines’ main Luzon island, indicating that the highly contagious pig disease is spreading.
The areas in Cavite province have been quarantined after laboratory results confirmed the disease led to the death of more than 20 pigs, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla told reporters. All swine growers in the province will be required to submit to tests before they can transport pigs to other areas, he said in Manila.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar was quoted by GMA News as saying that some pigs in a town in Nueva Ecija, a province in central Luzon, were also tested positive.
On Oct. 9, the Agriculture Department said about 12,000 pigs have been tested positive of the contagious disease. The Southeast nation confirmed in early September that swine fever caused the death of hundreds of pigs in areas north of Luzon island. The virus isn’t known to harm humans.
To contact the reporter on this story: Cecilia Yap in Manila at cyap19@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Stephanie Phang at sphang@bloomberg.net, Clarissa Batino
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