Philippines says now ‘best time’ to buy chicken amid bird flu fears
MANILA: The Philippine government on Monday urged the public not to panic over an outbreak of bird flu in a northern province, stressing that there has been no transmission of the virus to humans.
The Philippines confirmed on Friday the first outbreak of avian influenza in the country, prompting the Department of Agriculture to order the culling of about 200,000 birds.
“So far there is no indication that the strain of avian flu is harmful to humans,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said. “But we will continue to validate this and take all precaution needed.”
“It’s safe to eat chicken. It’s safe to eat eggs,” Agriculture Emmanuel Pinol told a press conference. “This is the best time to buy chicken because they’re cheap now.”
The Department of Agriculture has identified a one-kilometre radius area from the site of the outbreak in the town of San Luis in Pampanga province, 50 kilometres north of Manila, where all birds will be culled.
It also stopped the movement of live fowls and poultry products from a 7-kilometre radius from the site of the outbreak to other parts of the country.
Pinol said the culling had been delayed because there was a lack of personnel who were willing to take part in the operation.
“The workers were afraid because of the misinformation about the threats to their health,” he said.
So far, more than 18,600 chickens, ducks, quails and other fowls have been culled since Sunday, said Arlene Vytiaco, head of the animal disease control section of the Bureau of Animal Industry.