TACLOBAN CITY, April 8 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up its surveillance activities in four areas in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provinces with confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF).

Identified as ASF red zones or those with active cases are seven villages in the towns of Bobon, Laoang, and Palapag in Northern Samar; and Borongan City in Eastern Samar. Cases in these areas were detected in the past two months.

These areas are among the 27 towns and cities in the country with confirmed ASF cases, said Vincie Pantonino, a senior veterinarian of the DA regional regulatory division.

"ASF in the region keeps coming back. We can clear an area, but if neighboring local government are not cleared and complacent,...