BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) continues to intensify its efforts to ensure that the poultry industry in the region is protected from Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu.
The provinces of Benguet and Kalinga earlier reported cases of bird flu, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey said in an interview.
Odsey said that these cases are suspected to have come from chicken including infected chicken dung from other regions. Migratory birds are still suspected as sourced of the bird flu but it was never proven, he clarified.
“Ti naalaan iti positive cases ket dagijay kakasjay, naggapu ejai ruwar. There’s also the possibility that infected chicken dung coming from Region 3, Region 4,” he said.
The DA, he said, is working closely with the Bureau of Animal Industry to ensure that the products being delivered in the region are sourced out from AI-free areas.
“Ti advice ket istrikto da idjai certification with traders a talaga nga naggapu iti AI-free farms. Ti best kuna mi, iwasan yo pay ti Region 3,” he said.
Despite the downtrend in AI cases in the country, the DA-CAR reminds the public to avoid buying poultry or poultry products from AI-infected areas. The public is urged to report any illegal entry of poultry to the respective local government units.
Also, the public is advised to report any unusual death of chicken or poultry to the nearest Municipal Agriculture Office or Provincial Veterinary Office.
In a public advisory recently issued by DA-CAR, the movement within mainland Luzon (Regions CAR to IVA) of live birds, hatching eggs, and ready to lay chicken and quails is allowed subject to compliance with existing guidelines. Movement of ducks is not allowed within mainland Luzon. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
