October 13, 2023

Philippines to obtain avian flu vaccines

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on October 12 that the country would soon procure avian flu vaccines which would help end the culling of fowls and address threats to the poultry industry.

Marcos made the announcement during the inauguration of the "World-Class Controlled-Climate Magnolia Poultry Farm" in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, which is expected to produce up to 80 million chickens or around 200 million kilos annually and address the demand for poultry products in Mindanao.

The president added that the government will continue to mitigate the adverse effects of diseases in the poultry industry such as the avian flu even as it pursues measures, together with the private sector, that would promote and revitalise the industry.

Last month, Marcos, who is the concurrent agriculture secretary, met with leading Indonesian animal health firm PT Vaksindo Satwa Nusantara which intends to invest $2 million in veterinary vaccine development in the Philippines.

Vaksindo, together with its local partner, Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company Inc. Philippines, has committed to provide the Philippines with avian influenza vaccine.

- Malaya Business Insight