TANUDAN, Kalinga – Provincial Veterinarian Leonardo Damian reported an outbreak of suspected bird flu in at least three barangays in this municipality affecting 50 farmers.
Damian said 436 chickens and 28 ducks in barangays Upper Lubo, Lower Lubo, and Babbanoy died.
Blood samples were collected on April 5 and submitted to the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera for laboratory analysis.
Although not confirmed, Damian said they distributed disinfectants, vitamins; and information, education, and communication campaign materials to prevent further spread of the virus.
Damian said they have conducted IEC campaign in Rizal for the upgrading of native chicken aimed to arrest their vulnerability to bird flu.
He asked barangays in coordination with Municipal Agriculture Services Office about the schedule of barangay assemblies so that the office can join and conduct IEC campaigns.
Gov. Ferdinand Tubban earlier issued a temporary ban in the province on the entry of poultry, poultry products and by-products from Baliuag, Bulacan; Mexico, Candaba, and Minalin in Pampanga; and from Bula and Sipocot in Camarines Sur due to positive cases of avian influenza.
The DA ordered stricter control and containment measures versus bird flu following initial confirmation of the Avian Influenza (AI) H5N1 outbreaks affecting duck and quail farms in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, and Camarines Sur.
The Bureau of Animal Industry, in coordination with local government units and the private sector, has been conducting surveillance in all affected areas, along with the Department of Health to monitor possible transmission of the H5N1 virus to people.
Since the last quarter of 2021, 38 countries have reported the detection of H5N1, and 31 still have active cases including the U.S., Canada, South Korea, Japan, and most European Union member-countries. – Peter A. Balocnit
April 24, 2024
