ILOILO City – It is just a matter of time before the whole Western Visayas can be considered free from bird flu, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Region 6.
Capiz – the first and only province in the region to log cases of avian influenza (AI), commonly known as bird flu – is now working to be declared free from the disease, said BAI-6 Regional Veterinary Quarantine Officer John Roel Hilario.
He noted the cases in Roxas City were considered resolved but the BAI is yet to give clearance and officially declare the province bird flu-free again.
“But if there is one thing siguro nga pasalamatan ta, the Roxas City cases were the first and the last cases. As long as there will be no additional case, a matter of time na lang nga we can be considered bird flu-free,” said Hilario during yesterday’s “Sugilanonay sa Agrikultura” at SM City Iloilo.
On Dec. 2, 2022, Laboratory Result No. 4849-01 released by the BAI-Veterinary Laboratory Division showed the poultry serum and oropharyngeal swab samples from Barangay Cagay, Roxas City positive for influenza virus type A (IVA) subtype H5NI.
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by any influenza virus affecting several species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds.
Hilario also noted it is good news that the laboratory results of the samples from migratory birds that travel from one area, apart from Roxas City, to another turned out negative for bird flu.
Meanwhile, DA-6 executive director Jose Albert Barrogo said the regional office already conducted sentineling in the affected poultry farm in Roxas City for three weeks now.
He said sentinel chickens were planted in the poultry farm to check if there is still a presence of bird flu.
“Gina-observe naton weekly, ginakwaan sang sample kag kaluy-an man nga negative ang mga test so far. So we are hoping nga matayuyon na ina,” said Barrogo.
The regional director said sentinel chickens were given by DA-6’s private partners as well as the provision of feeds while the BAI and DA-6 are the ones implementing the protocols for sentineling efforts.
Barrogo further emphasized that together with the BAI, the region is strictly implementing the regulations on the entry of poultry products especially the ready-to-lay (RTL) coming from infected areas in Luzon.
He added they are banking on the support of all local government units (LGUs) in implementing the necessary protocols and regulations against bird flu.
“Padayun ang amon pag-issue sa mga LGUs sang amon mga advisory para padayun nga ma-observe ang protocol,” he said./PN
