Dead pig found floating in Cataggaman River amid ASF concerns in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — A dead pig was reportedly found floating in the river along Cataggaman Boulevard in Tuguegarao City on October 1, 2026, raising concerns among residents amid reported African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in parts of Cagayan.

According to 95.7 XFM Tuguegarao, the discovery was shared online, prompting residents to call for the immediate removal of the carcass, particularly amid concerns that the pig may have been disposed of in the water after becoming ill.

However, there was no official confirmation as of the latest available reports that the pig died from ASF.

ASF concerns in Cagayan

The incident comes as Cagayan continues to deal with ASF concerns.

According to the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) zoning status, 17 local government units in Cagayan were classified as infected zones in January 2026, declining to nine infected-zone LGUs by June and July.

Tuguegarao City was among the areas classified as an infected zone during that period.

The situation changed again in late September when confirmed ASF cases were reported in three barangays in Solana—Sampaguita, Lanna and Nangalisan.

Following the confirmation, the Solana local government placed the entire municipality under a 40- to 45-day lockdown, prohibited the movement of live pigs out of the municipality and intensified quarantine checkpoints along its boundaries to restrict the movement of pigs and pork products.

Authorities have also strengthened ASF prevention and surveillance efforts across Cagayan Valley. On September 14, the Department of Agriculture-Cagayan Valley trained 125 agricultural extension workers, municipal veterinarians and agricultural technicians on the administration of the government-approved ASF vaccine, including vaccination protocols, pig eligibility, vaccine safety and efficacy, and post-vaccination surveillance.

ASF is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, but it does not infect humans. The Department of Agriculture continues to emphasize surveillance, movement controls, vaccination and farm biosecurity as key measures against its spread.

As of writing, residents are urging authorities to promptly remove and properly dispose of the carcass found along the Cataggaman River and determine its possible source.

Any determination of whether the pig was infected with ASF would have to come from veterinary authorities following proper investigation and testing.