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Saturday, September 2, 2017
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ILOILO City – In the wake of avian influenza or bird flu in the province of Pampanga, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas warned the public against touching or getting near migratory birds.
Migratory birds stop briefly on wetlands – swamps, marshes, intertidal and coastal areas, rivers, ponds, or lakes – as well as forests throughout the country to rest and refuel on their onward journey.
“Birds migrate to find food and even find safe breeding grounds,” said Regional Director Jim Sampulna.
Panay Island has a total of 37 official count sites for migratory birds. DENR also identified 52 migratory bird species visiting annually.
“Their presence in our areas indicates they’re finding rich sources of food here. However, in the light of the avian flu outbreak, our public would do well not to touch or harm them,” said Sampulna.
Avian influenza is caused by Type A flu viruses naturally occurring among wild aquatic birds worldwide. The viruses can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species but do not normally infect humans.
However, random human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred, said Sampulna.
The Biodiversity Management Bureau of DENR “strongly” advised the public against culling, poisoning or chasing migratory birds.
These are proven ineffective and counterproductive, said Sampulna.
Certain migratory birds such as ducks, gulls, hawks and eagles, rails and coots are also susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, thus handling any sick or dead wild birds is discouraged, he added.
The director also urged those with domestic poultry to not permit them to roam or raise them in areas frequented by migratory birds.
“Poultry and other domestic animals should be kept separate from wild birds and other wildlife,” said Sampulna, citing the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the Philippines.
Bird migration period in the country usually commences in September and ends by March of the following year, he revealed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 activated the regional avian influenza task force to ensure Western Visayas remains an bird flu-free region.
Director Remelyn Recoter stressed the region has a vital role to play being the entry point from Luzon via the roll on, roll off (roro) vessel through the Caticlan jetty port in Malay, Aklan.
She urged members of the Regional Advisory Council for Animal Disease Control and Emergency (RAC-ADCE) to be actively involved in monitoring, surveillance and reporting any unusual poultry mortalities, sighting of migratory birds apart from identified landing areas and suspected poultry products from other areas.
Considering that the region has two international airports with routes to and from previously bird flu-affected countries, Recoter instructed animal quarantine personnel to strictly enforce quarantine laws 24/7.
The task force is composed of five teams. These are the following:
- Surveillance
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Animal Control Movement
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Laboratory Diagnosis
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Public Information
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Database/GIS and Vaccination
Western Visayas has a total population of 3,106,753 heads of broiler, 934,967 layer and 7,855,082 native chicken, according to the DA
It has an average monthly requirement of 50,000 dressed chicken and 3.3 million table eggs./PN
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