CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) has urged the public to report incidents of bird flu in the region.
In a memorandum posted on Facebook on Friday, DA-10 Director Carlene Collado said the public should stay vigilant as avian influenza has already affected quail and duck farms in Bulacan and Pampanga (Region 3), Laguna (Region 4A), and Camarines Sur (Region 5).
"Occasionally mammals, including humans, may contract avian influenza. The disease detected is a variant of H5N1, which can trigger illness in humans," Collado said.
Collado, however, noted the absence of reports so far indicating that bird flu has affected humans across the country.
DA issued Memorandum Circular No. 06, dated March 8, 2022, signed by DA Secretary William D. Dar on the “Guidelines on Movement of Domestic and Captured Wild (ornamental) Birds and Poultry Products and By-products during the Avian Influenza Outbreak.”
Following this, Collado asked the public, especially those engaged in the poultry industry, to be more vigilant and to report immediately any unusual mortalities or sickness in farms or localities to the nearest municipal, city, or provincial agricultural and veterinary offices about the matter.
The bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that affects several species of food-producing birds such as chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, including pet and wild birds.
DA-10 Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga said the proactive action of the agency’s task force aims to protect the region's poultry industry, which ranked third nationwide in production with an output of 36.05 thousand metric tons (live weight), based on the July to September 2021 data by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“Measures are undertaken to prevent the entry of AI (Avian Influenza) through effective surveillance and proper coordination with competent authorities of the DA’s attached agencies, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS),” Madriaga said.
She said the task force has intensified the implementation of Memorandum Circular No. 05, series of 2022 or the “Guidelines on the local movement of domestic and wild birds and poultry products and by-products during the AI surveillance period,” which includes strengthening entry seaports and airports in the region as manned by the DA-BAI quarantine officers.
Blood collection and Oro-pharyngeal swabs of birds, particularly on the identified wetlands in the region, will also be pursued as part of the surveillance and monitoring activities. (PNA)
