ASF infected areas in Cebu doubled to 12 — BAI

Cebu (CNN Philippines, March 30) — African Swine Fever (ASF) infections have spread to 12 areas in Cebu province, according to the latest report of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

The BAI's Bantay ASF report on March 27 listed the following cities and towns as infected: Bogo City, Carcar City, Cebu City, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu City, Liloan, Mandaue City, Minglanilla, San Fernando, Sibonga, Talisay City, and Tuburan.

The BAI's previous bulletin on March 20 reported six areas had cases of ASF: Carcar City, Cebu City, Liloan, Tuburan, Bogo City, and Sibonga.

READ: ASF spreads to other parts of Cebu province; LGU still against culling

BAI director Paul Limson issued Administrative Order No. 22, directing all government agencies and local government units in the province to comply with the national zoning and movement plan for African Swine Fever issued by the Office of the President in February 2020.

Meanwhile, on March 29, the Cebu provincial government sued several BAI officials, Limson included, for tagging Cebu with ASF infections that resulted in the culling of pigs, affecting the livelihood of Cebuanos.

The complaint alleged that the respondents violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Local Government Code, and the New Civil Code.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia was doubtful of the tests conducted by the BAI saying these were done without differential diagnosis to validate the presence of the virus.

Garcia earlier said the province would not comply with the color-coded zoning of the BAI nor with the culling of pigs.

Cebu-based journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report.