The provincial government has enacted stringent quarantine measures following the confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Trinidad municipality, with authorities implementing a comprehensive four-zone control system to prevent the virus’s further spread.
Acting Bohol Governor Tita Virtudazo Baja formalized the response through Executive Order No. 1, signed January 10, 2025, after laboratory analysis confirmed ASF presence in Purok 4, M. Roxas, Trinidad.
The confirmation came when one of three blood samples tested positive using the Provincial Veterinarian-managed DA POCKIT Central PCR Veterinary Analyzer.
Officials report that multiple swine deaths have already occurred across different puroks in the area, though these cases had not been previously tested.
The most restrictive measures apply to a 10-meter radius around the infected premises, where authorities have ordered immediate depopulation of all pigs regardless of age. This zone faces a three-month prohibition on pig movement and a complete ban on pork product transport.
Officials have also mandated 30-day restricted entry protocols, allowing access only to authorized personnel for disinfection purposes.
In the wider quarantine area, encompassing the remaining portions of Purok 4 and other M. Roxas puroks, all pigs must undergo mandatory PCR testing.
Those testing positive, along with any pigs within 100 meters, face immediate depopulation.
However, the order provides a seven-day window for farmers with ASF-negative pigs to slaughter their animals for local consumption, offering some economic relief to affected households.
The executive order establishes an outside quarantine area in adjacent barangays, implementing continuous disease surveillance and mandatory blood sample collection.
Pig movement in this zone is permitted only with verified negative ASF test results. Beyond this, a surveillance area covers the remaining puroks, where authorities will conduct ongoing disease monitoring and random blood sampling.
“These graduated control measures reflect our commitment to containing this outbreak while minimizing economic impact where possible,” Baja stated.
The response integrates protocols from Bohol’s Ordinance No. 2022-011 and aligns with national guidelines established by the Department of Agriculture’s 2019 and 2020 directives.
Enforcement responsibilities span multiple agencies, with the Municipal Mayor of Trinidad coordinating efforts among the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and barangay officials.
Each household with ASF-positive cases must install foot mats and observe strict disinfection protocols, while affected farms must dispose of contaminated feeds and implements through burning or burial.
The outbreak adds to problems facing Bohol’s pork industry, which continues to deal with ASF outbreaks since the disease first appeared in the province last year. While ASF poses no risk to human health, it has devastated pig populations throughout the island, causing economic losses to both commercial operations and backyard farms.
Trinidad’s agriculture office is conducting door-to-door information campaigns to ensure residents understand quarantine protocols and reporting requirements. Officials stress that early detection and rapid response remain crucial in preventing the virus from establishing itself in new areas of the province.
The province has also activated its emergency response team to monitor compliance and provide technical assistance to affected farmers.
Agricultural authorities are coordinating with Bohol town markets to ensure proper documentation of pork products and prevent unauthorized movement of potentially infected meat.
Checkpoints by the Capitol are put up in highways, but reports said the checkpoint is only “for show.”
ASF OUTBREAK IN UBAY
Meanwhile, Ubay town is on brink of calamity declaration over African Swine Fever outbreak.
The Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) of Ubay has recommended that the town be placed under a state of calamity due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has already affected at least three barangays.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has approved the measure, which will be submitted to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Ubay for final approval.
According to Municipal Agriculturist Marianito Doydora, the town can declare a state of calamity if two or more barangays are affected by the ASF virus, in order to protect other areas from infection.
Reports confirm that barangays Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Bulilis have been hit by the ASF outbreak, prompting the MAO to recommend the calamity declaration.
The declaration would enable the local government to access funds and mobilize personnel to help contain the outbreak.
Authorities are urging the public to cooperate and assist in containing the virus, stressing that government efforts alone may not be enough to solve the problem without community support.
The ASF outbreak has raised fears over the town’s pig farming industry, with the virus posing a great threat to the livelihoods of Boholano farmers.
The declaration of a state of calamity is seen as a crucial step in mitigating the impact of the outbreak and preventing its spread to other areas.