ASF cases in QC’s ‘lechon capital’ isolated, says agriculture official
After the temporary closure of several “lechon” (roasted pig) stores in La Loma, Quezon City, when some of the pigs were found positive for African swine fever (ASF), the Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Thursday that the disease cannot be passed on to humans.
“The ASF is a disease affecting pigs, not humans,” the DOH said in a video message on its social media page. “Humans cannot be infected with ASF. It is still safe to eat the meat of pigs. Just make sure that the meat is thoroughly cooked before it is eaten.”
A Department of Agriculture (DA) official, on the other hand, said the ASF situation in La Loma remains an “isolated” case. The cases were due to stock farm operators who violated standards set by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), which is under the DA, resulting in overcrowding and poor ventilation.
DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa, citing department data, noted the decline in cases, with only 121 barangays nationwide affected by ASF in the third quarter of the year.
Significantly lower
He pointed out that the figure was significantly lower than the 969 barangays affected during the same period in 2024, the highest ever to be recorded in the country.
De Mesa said that the BAI and the Quezon City government have entered into an agreement to address the situation, which led to the temporary closure of the 14 lechon shops.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly swine disease that affects both farm-raised and wild pigs.
It said that feeding pigs with uncooked or improperly heated food waste that is contaminated with ASF can also result in the transmission of the virus.
The DOH noted the “huge effect” of ASF on the businesses of lechon store owners in La Loma, which is dubbed the “lechon capital of the Philippines.”
“Almost every pig that gets this illness dies. Pigs get ASF from other pigs with the disease or from contaminated food or items,” it said.
Huge effect
The Quezon City government ordered the 14 lechon establishments temporarily closed last week after several pigs tested positive for the virus. It has since recommended the culling of affected animals to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.
“We’re not allowed to sell [lechon],” said Ramon Ferreros, one of the store owners. “There are many employees relying on us. If this [closure] lasts for one week, two weeks or more, [it will be] a huge loss for the lechon industry. It is sad, but we have to comply with the order because we need La Loma to be ASF-free.”
The DOH reported that the local government has already conducted disinfection activities in the area and also placed checkpoints to control the entry and exit of pigs within Quezon City.
