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[av_heading heading=’Agriculture dep’t on bird flu alert’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017
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ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 asked the support of farmers and local government units in surveillance activities as part of efforts to ensure that Western Visayas and the country remain free from bird flu or avian influenza.
Bird flu is caused by avian influenza viruses that affect multiple internal organs of fowls, explained Dr. Pacifico Lumauag III, veterinarian of DA’s Regional Field Office 6.
But bird flu can be transmitted to humans and could be fatal, he warned.
To date, the Philippines is the only country in South East Asia that is free from the disease, said Lumauag.
Maintaining this status requires collective effort not only from concerned government agencies, the poultry industry and local government units but especially from communities along the shores and those identified as critical areas.
An area to be considered critical must meet the following criteria:
* presence of water fowls and shore birds (migratory or residential)
* identified hotspots for illegal trade and wildlife; and
* presence of live bird markets.
Avian flu viruses occur naturally among migratory birds and their contact with domestic fowl may increase the threats of transmission through nasal secretions, saliva and feces.
As part of DA’s surveillance activities, chickens, geese and ducks in critical areas are taken serum samples and undergo oropharyngeal swabs twice a year.
This May 2017, DA-6 is scheduled to conduct these in six areas in Region 6 – Barangay Bugnay in Jordan, Guimaras; Sibalom in Antique; Dumangas, Sara, Ajuy, and Concepcion in Iloilo; and Sipalay in Negros Occidental.
Lumauag advised residents to bury sick or dead wild birds and file a report with their local veterinarians.
He also warned people not to eat sick or dead chicken and keep them away from other fowls. (PIA-Iloilo/PN)
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