New ASF infections confirmed in Surigao Norte town

BUTUAN CITY – The Regional African Swine Fever (ASF) Task Force of the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) has confirmed the detection of new ASF infections in the town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte.

Socorro is situated on a separate island, Bucas Grande, which is part of Siargao Island, belonging to the first district of the province.

Dr. Ashley Mae Abaday-Nono, the ASF coordinator of DA-13, confirmed the development in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday.

“We are now in close coordination with the local government unit of Socorro for the conduct of massive disinfection in the ASF-affected areas,” she said.

Nono said the new cases of ASF infections were detected in Barangays Rizal, Navarro, Sungcoy, and Del Pilar.

The infections were confirmed through laboratory results on Tuesday, when five out of the 17 blood samples turned positive for ASF.

“Alert is also heightened in checkpoints, especially in going in and out of the town, to ensure that no hog or meat products would go in and out of Socorro,” Nono added. (PNA)

(2025/06/18-06:40)