Zero ASF cases for six months: Abra eyes disease-free status by year-end

ABRA, Philippines – After years of battling African Swine Fever (ASF), the province of Abra is moving closer to achieving ASF-free status by the end of 2026 after recording no cases during the first six months of the year.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs and wild boars. Although it poses no threat to human health, the disease can cause high mortality among swine populations and has severely impacted the livestock industry and the livelihoods of hog raisers across the country.

According to Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Paul Joseph Abaya, as reported by a national news outlet, Abra has not recorded a single ASF case since January 2026, marking a significant improvement from previous years when several municipalities in the province were affected by the disease.

"Hopefully by the end of this year, Abra will already be under the yellow zone," he said.

A yellow zone refers to an area with no active ASF cases but which remains under monitoring due to its proximity to previously affected areas.

To sustain the province's gains against ASF, authorities have continued strict surveillance and monitoring efforts to prevent new outbreaks. In April, six municipalities previously classified as high-risk or red zones were downgraded to pink zones, while assessments in six other municipalities remain ongoing.

Abaya said authorities continue to enforce stringent biosecurity measures, including checkpoints that monitor the entry of live animals and meat products to ensure they carry the required permits and ASF-free certifications.

The province's progress marks a remarkable turnaround. In 2024, Abra ranked third among provinces with the highest number of ASF cases, recording 29 cases across 28 barangays. By the latter half of 2025, however, the province had already reported zero new infections.

With no ASF cases recorded since January, local officials are optimistic that Abra will achieve its goal of becoming ASF-free by the end of 2026. The milestone would represent a major victory for the province's livestock sector and local hog raisers, signaling a strong recovery from years of outbreaks that disrupted swine production and affected rural livelihoods.