DA-CAR makes region bird flu ready
In the midst of the avian influenza outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – CAR took major steps to address the national issue in the region.
In accordance to the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) Memorandum Circular no. 9, series of 2017, which was released on August 14, “no movement of live domestic and wild birds including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs, semen, manure and other products shall be allowed from Luzon (mainland Luzon and island provinces of Luzon) to Visayas and Mindanao. Since Visayas and Mindanao remain free from Avian Influenza, the movement of live poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs, semen, manure and other products from Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon will be allowed”.
Luzon to Luzon movement of said commodities maybe allowed provided that it is outside the 7km radius of Pampanga and that necessary permits and certificates are obtained.
The National Veterinary Quarantine Services (NVQS) of the BAI, in coordination with the DA-CAR, has installed nine quarantine stations in the region. One station in Brgy. Tangadan San Quinting, Abra for the Narvacan, Ilocos Sur entry; one in Brgy. Quirino, Luna, Apayao for the Junction Luna-Abulog entry; four stations in Benguet, located in (1) Brgy. Camp 1, Kennon Road for the La Union entry, (2) Brgy. Poyopoy, Marcos Highway, Tuba for the Pugo, La Union entry, (3) Brgy. Banangan, Sablan for the entry from Burgos, La Union, and (4) Brgy. Pinkian, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya for the Region II entry; two stations in Infugao at (1) Brgy. Poblacion, Lamut for the Bagabag, Nueva Vizacaya entry and (2) Brgy. Namilangan, Alfonso Lista for the Ramon, Isabela entry; and one in Brgy. Talaca, Tabuk City, Kalinga for the Quezon, Isabela, and Cagayan entry.
Necessary information regarding the outbreak were all sent out to Provincial Veterinary Offices and City Veterinary Offices in the Cordillera. Roles in the Avian Influenza Prevention and Control Program have also been designated to stakeholders. In addition, the Avian Influenza Regional Task Force has been formed.
Based on the data from the provincial and city veterinary offices in CAR, there are 2.396 poultry farms in the region with 162 for layer farms, 53 for broiler farms, and 2,181 for free range chicken, native, gamefowl, duck, turkey, and goose farms. While the poultry population in the Cordillera totals to 1,161,111.
For safety, the Department of Health (DOH) advised that poultry products should be cooked thoroughly. Good hygiene should be observed especially after exposure with birds. It is also best to not come in contact or at least avoid wild or migratory birds and poultry houses or farms.
DA is encouraging everyone to report unusual or unexplained deaths in poultry to the nearest veterinary or agriculture office.
