July 22, 2013

Due to an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), the Philippines has temporarily banned the importation of wild birds and poultry products from South Africa.

The ban, imposed on July 8, 2013, is meant to protect the health of the local poultry population and consumers, according to Philippines' Agriculture Secretary, Proceso Alcala.

Alcala said the outbreak was confirmed by the Office Internationale Epizooties (OIE) when presence of LPAI serotype H7N7 was found in a commercial ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape Province.

The LPAI virus was confirmed through Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction conducted by the Agricultural Research Council-Ondersteproof Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI).

Day old chicks, eggs and semen from Lower Saxony, Germany, are also included in the ban. The government will also suspend the processing and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance for such products.

Avian influenza is classified as high and low pathogenic. Low pathogenic avian influenza can develop mild illnesses in livestock while the high pathogenic type cause high mortality in poultry.