Measures in place to keep bird flu out
Biosecurity measures have been intensified and quarantine areas in airports, seaports, and checkpoints in the region have been strengthened to keep the region bird flu-free, an official of the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) said. Carlene Collado, DA-10 regional director said they have immediately activated and strengthened the regional Avian Influenza (AI) Task Force, which is composed of the different regional offices and local government units to strengthen monitoring.
Although there has been no reported case of the virus in the region, Collado still advised the public to cook poultry meat and eggs thoroughly and if frequently exposed to infected birds, wear masks or get flu shots for prevention.
“The biosecurity is maintained and intensified, we are conducting strict surveillance. Giintensify nato ang campaign against especially smuggled meat products, live animals, whether naa sa airport, seaport or land transportation,” Collado said.
“If naay smuggled meat or birds from Luzon, they will be confiscated and disposed according to procedures, we will wait also apprehend those na ga-smuggle. We can assure that bird flu won’t reach the region,” he added.
According to Collado, prices of poultry products in the region has remained stable and supply is sufficient.
Dale Franco Llentic, National
Veterinary Quarantine Officer in Northern Mindanao said there are over 6 big companies or ‘integrators’ operating over 1,000 poultry farms in the region.
“Ang farms sa atong integrators are compartmentalized so naay strict biosecurity enforced within their farms,” Llentic said.
Meanwhile, DA-10 will also distribute drugs to local veterinarians all over the region to prevent any kind of animal diseases.
Juliet Araos, DA-10 Regulatory Division Chief urged the public to be vigilant, pointing out that the region will be hit the hardest when the virus enters the region and affects the poultry industry of the region.
“Dili lang population sa poutry products nato ang worry but also for those owners of poultry farms, luoy sila. Dili lang billions ang mawala, apil ang investments so we really need to practice vigilance,” she said.
The region is the 3rd biggest producer of poultry products in the country, with a total of 11 percent ot 19,596,441 heads contribution to the national inventory.
Out of the 19.5 million heads of chicken inventory 7.7 million are broiler chicken, 3.7 million are for layers and 8 million heads are native chicken.
Tests done by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) confirmed the H5 strain of the avian flu virus at a farm in San Luis, Pampanga, where the virus was believed to have originated.