THE African Swine Fever (ASF) disease has reached even far-flung villages (barangay) in Abra province, according to the office of the provincial veterinary (OPVET).

Boliney Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) said the disease may have been present in mid-April this year after seven pigs were reported dead from the dreaded disease in Danac East and Danac West in Boliney town.

Boliney is the fourth town reported by OPVET with recorded ASF disease in the province.

The others were in Malibcong, Daguioman and Tineg.

According to the record of the Boliney MAO, there are about 355 pigs in Danac East and West, 12 of which had died from ASF.

The MHO said the infection started when a resident from Danac brought home a wild boar in April.

Mayor Benido Balao-as Sr. issued Executive Order 10 to temporarily prohibit the transportation of pig meat in Boliney town.

Balao-as also ordered the prohibition of hunting within the town of Boliney.

“We are also implementing biosecurity measures like depopulation, disinfection and regular reporting through barangay officials and the local government unit,” Balao-as said.

OPVET said cases of ASF were recorded in wild pigs along the Comia-as forest between the boundary of Malibcong and the province of Kalinga.

It said there were also ASF cases among the domesticated native pigs in different areas of the towns. This prompted a ban on the transportation and butchering of the wild and native pigs.

Balao-as said Boliney town has started to depopulate swine in Barangay Danac East and West until May 11 to stop the further spread of ASF.

OPVET also directed the creation of a municipal ASF Task Force in Boliney which will monitor and restrict the transportation of pigs and pork products outside the affected areas.

The Task Force will also ensure the implementation of biosecurity measures in preventing the spread of the virus.