November 29, 2006
Philippine poultry industry ill-equipped for bird flu
The Philippine poultry industry may suffer severe financial losses if the dreaded avian influenza or bird-flu should strike the country, an official of the Veterinary Quarantine Services said.
Dr. Alex Besas, quarantine services representative in General Santos City told the Manila Times that the country may potentially lose to bird flu the US$320 million annual earnings from the poultry industry.
Such figure represents 16 percent of the country's annual total earnings from the agriculture sector.
By far, only the Philippines and Brunei remain unaffected by bird flu in the Southeast Asian region.
The virus causing bird flu surfaced in December 2003 when it hit South Korea and struck a month later, in Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia.
It also spread to India and some parts of Europe, leaving billions in damages.
Last year alone, a record 150 million birds were killed by the virus in Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
During a strategic planning and risk assessment workshop held last week, officials disclosed that in case the country becomes affected by the virus, it would be very difficult to contain due to the high cost of medicines.
The country may be forced to resort in killing of all affected birds and fowls, as it would be the most economical means to eradicate the virus.
The cost, however, is the survival of the poultry industry.
The national government earlier mandated municipal authorities to implement programs that would disseminate information and prepare measures to stop the possible entry of bird flu in the country
In response, municipalities initiated a strategic planning and risk assessment activity to help disseminate information about the disease at the barangay or to the smallest community level.
The activity was attended by representatives of LGUs, local health offices, Department of Environment and National Resources, Philippine National Police and the Department of Health.
