Marcos gov’t intensifies control measures vs bird flu

Author: (Gumamela Bejarin, DA-AFID) | 16 February 2023

https://www.da.gov.ph/marcos-govt-intensifies-control-measures-vs-bird-flu/

The Department of Agriculture (DA), under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reaffirmed its commitment to stop the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in the country by reinforcing disease control measures.

For 2023, the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has allotted a P177.78 million in funds for the government’s Avian Influenza Protection Program that will rollout mitigating measures before and during outbreaks of bird flu.

The fund, which is higher than the allocation in past years, will also be used to respond to animal disease emergencies through early detection and reliable laboratory diagnostics.

Aside from continuously establishing close coordination with the local government units ( LGUs) and stakeholders, DA-BAI will carry on disease investigation activities and surveillance of quarantine zones and will systematically conduct culling and disposal of affected poultry animals at the first sign of detection.

DA-BAI Assistant Director Arlene

Asteria Vytiaco stressed that the bureau has reinforced control measures to avoid a spike in bird flu cases.

According to Vytiaco, DA-BAI has immediately implemented depopulation, intensive surveillance in the 1-ki- lometer quarantine zone as well as cleaning and disinfection at a layer poultry farm in Santa Maria, Bulacan after confirming it tested positive of HPAI Subtype H5N1 on Jan. 31, 2023.

“Ini-intensify natin ang ating control measures para huwag nang maranasan ’yong last year na talagang tumaas ang kaso natin ng February until March to April,” Vytiaco said.

She added that the Bulacan farm is the first layer poultry farm affected by bird flu this year, but the case has been resolved and contained.

After the 1-kilometer radius surveillance from the infected farm, it will be expanded to 7-kilometer surveillance to ensure that the area is AI free.

“We really encourage self-reporting or early reporting para po ma-contain na agad natin ’yong sakit,” Vytiaco said.

The DA-BAI is also closely working with partners in LGUs, DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs), and private sector stakeholders for the strict and effective protocol implementation to protect the country’s poultry industry.

“Sa mga farms po kasi, for AI talagang ang pinakamahalaga po is iyong biosecurity, para wag tayong tamaan especially may mga detections pa rin tayo ng AI. The Philippines is not yet AI free, so all farm owners should practice strict biose- curity measures,” Vytiaco explained.

The assistant director also encouraged farm owners and workers to regularly practice cleaning and disinfection, limiting farm visitors, and doing bird proofing strategies.

In addition, Vytiaco stressed that early reporting of unusual mortality is key to manage the risk of further infection.

“Any sign po ng sakit or mortality, please, I encourage you na sana po report early sa ating authorities. Puwede sa barangay or municipal level. Basta makapag-report po tayo para maisagawa natin ang mabilisang disease investigation at ma-contain agad natin yung sakit,” she pointed out.

The DA has earlier issued memorandum orders to temporarily ban the importation of domestic and wild birds and poultry products from countries with confirmed AI virus outbreak to prevent the entry of HPAI virus in the country.

According to Vytiaco, the presence of migratory birds that are common at this time of the year was also identified as a risk factor as they can affect the local poultry population with the virus from infected countries.

Since the outbreak in February 2022, the Philippines is yet to regain its status as AI free.

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) celebrated its 93rd Founding Anniversary on February 27, 2023 with the commitment to lead the sector towards recovery and continued growth.

“The responsibility and obligation upon us is great. We must do what we say. We must demonstrate competence and commitment in reaching high standards of performance,” DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban stressed during the event. He recognized that the country’s livestock sector had suffered because of the African swine fever (ASF), but it has shown signs of recovery with 2.3 percent production growth last year.

With the launching of the Super Pig mascot, the DA-BAI is also intensifying its National ASF Prevention and Control Program including the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) program as the ongoing ASF vaccine trials continue to show promising results.

DA-BAI turns 93 with renewed commitment

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The DA-BAI is implementing various programs challenges in the sector such as animal diseases and

commitment to serve, protect animal industry

https://www.da.gov.ph/da-bai-turns-93-with-renewed-commitment-toserve-protect-animal-industry/

The bureau’s strategic agenda include 1) boosting local production and raising the farmers’ and fisherfolk’s income; 2) ensuring accessibility to affordable, safe, and nutritious food; 3) developing strong, modernized, and climate resilient value chains; and 4) institutionalizing policy reforms and strengthening institutions. With the theme, “Masiglang paghahayupan para sa masaganang hapag-kainan at maunlad na pamayanan,” the week-long anniversary celebration will feature free public seminars on meat processing and production of goat, cattle, and native chicken.

“Tunay na isinasaloob ng tagline natin ngayong taon ang nais marating ng ating industriya sa paghahayupan. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na ang Bureau of Animal Industry ay patuloy niyong maaasahan at magiging katuwang sa pagtataguyod at pagpoprotekta ng industriya ng paghahayupan,” Director Limson expressed.