NewsDesk @bactiman63

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor John Dalipe Friday afternoon approved a resolution recommending the declaration of a state of calamity in Zamboanga City due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak that has affected 6 out of the 7 veterinary districts as of July 21.

Image/Robert Herriman

Hog mortalities soared to 2,775 as 746 pigs were culled due to ASF. Meanwhile, the number of affected hog raisers has reached 733 since Zamboanga City was classified as red zone last May 23, 2022.

The CDRRMC recommendation will be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for approval during its session on Tuesday next week.

City Veterinarian Dr Mario Arriola during the virtual meeting of the CDRRMC reported that ASF infections continue to soar, despite concerted and coordinated efforts to contain the animal disease.

From the initial 4 barangays affected, ASF has spread to 15 barangays to date.

During zonal meetings in the barangays, stakeholders have recommended that the City be declared under a state of calamity to enable the use of calamity funds at the barangay level to capacitate the City to fight against ASF, according to Arriola.

The emergency meeting of the CDRRMC was facilitated by City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dr. Elmeir Apolinario.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious, generalized disease of pigs caused by an Iridovirus of family Asfarviridae that exhibits varying virulence between strains and is very hardy to physical and chemical inactivation. The agent can remain viable for long periods in blood, feces and tissues. It can also multiply in its vectors.

It most commonly appears in the acute form as a hemorrhagic fever. Subacute and chronic forms of the disease also exist. Mortality is usually close to 100 percent and pigs of all ages are affected.