BACOLOD City – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental is actively monitoring migratory birds in the province to detect any presence of the avian influenza virus.
Sipalay City authorities and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) personnel are collaborating in this effort, said Dr. Placeda Lemana, PVO head.
Sipalay City is a known migratory route for birds escaping the colder climates of the north. These birds typically return north in February as temperatures rise.
The PVO plans to collect blood samples from some migratory birds for analysis at the Bureau of Animal Industry.
In 2020, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office recorded 80 migratory bird species in Negros Occidental, many in wetland areas.
Some of these birds were listed as “threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
