New Lucena has been added to the list of towns in the province of Iloilo hit by the deadly African Swine Fever (ASF).

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada said blood samples from sick pigs in Barangay Badiang tested positive for ASF.

To prevent the further spread of ASF, all hogs within the 500-meter radius of the ASF ground zero will be “depopulated” or killed.

So far, 21 pigs have been depopulated in the village, according to Tabuada.

New Lucena is the sixth town to report confirmed ASF cases. Other towns with ASF cases are Santa Barbara, Leganes, Oton, San Miguel, and Alimodian.IMT