January 16, 2004

Philippines Poultry Bird Flu Free

The Philippines Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) declared on Thursday that the country's poultry is free from the bird flu disease which is currently spreading in the region.

"We would like to assure the people that steps to prevent the entry of affected birds are in place, and we are strictly monitoring bird movements, especially the migratory bird species," BAI director Jose Molina said.

Molina said that as early as December the bureau banned the importation of live birds and chicken from Korea and has recommended the banning of importation from other countries facing outbreaks of bird flu, such as Japan and Vietnam.

BAI has already forwarded a draft ban on importation from Vietnam and Japan and is now awaiting the signature of Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. as among the precautionary measures.

The bird-flu episodes have been reported to the Paris-based Office International des Epizooties, or the international animal-health office, by Japan (on January 12), Vietnam (with the first case reported on January 5) and by Korea (as early as December).

The bird flu is considered a very devastating virus because it can completely wipe out farm populations, which in the Philippines might affect 136 million chicken, if the virus gets in undetected, Molina said.

He said that strict inspections and quarantine measures are being observed in all entry and exit ports, and migratory-bird movements are being closely observed.

The virus can be transferred to humans through aerosols, bird secretions and handling of affected birds. Humans contaminated with the virus experience all the symptoms associated with pneumonia.