Bird flu

Bird flu passable to humans hits Pampanga egg farm

Ralf Rivas

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Bird flu passable to humans hits Pampanga egg farm
Initial field investigation shows the presence of migratory birds in the area, which has been associated with bird flu outbreaks in many countries

The Department of Agriculture (DA) detected cases of a strain of the bird flu virus that can be passed on to humans at an egg farm in San Luis, Pampanga.

The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Wednesday, July 29, confirmed that a highly pathogenic avian influenza strain, specifically A(H5N6), was found at the egg-producing farm.

Initial field investigation showed the presence of migratory birds in the area, which has been associated with bird flu outbreaks in many countries, including the Philippines. (READ: 6 tips from DOH on how to be safe from bird flu)

“The team humanely culled a total of 38,701 heads of layers and disposed of them properly, employing the protocols under the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the Philippine government,” said BAI Director Ronnie Domingo, in his report to Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

The DA earlier said there was no record of human transmission of bird flu in the Philippines when the same strain affected Pampanga and Nueva Ecija in 2017.

The BAI applied emergency control measures at “ground zero” and conducted disease surveillance around the infected farm.

Domingo said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has identified 117 important bird areas in the country. About 150,000 migratory birds nest and breed annually in Central Luzon.

The BAI urged poultry raisers in Central Luzon to protect their farms from the entry of migratory birds, and immediately report any unusual poultry deaths.

The DA earlier said the country is “well-prepared” against bird flu, citing a ban that was put in place 16 years ago suspending the importation of poultry products coming from China.

The agency, however, admitted that smuggling of chicken meat from China is still a problem.

For reports or inquiries, the public may text or call 09951329339, 09208543119, or 09618889029. – Rappler.com

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Ralf Rivas

A sociologist by heart, a journalist by profession. Ralf is Rappler's business reporter, covering macroeconomy, government finance, companies, and agriculture.