‘Isolated’ bird flu case detected in Batangas town

Batangas map

LUCENA CITY — The Batangas provincial veterinarian office has allayed public fear after a single case of bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza Type A, was detected in Ibaan town.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon (December 16), Romelitor Marasigan, Batangas provincial veterinarian, said an “isolated case” of avian influenza Type A (H5N1) was detected in “a non-commercial facility or a leisure farm” in Barangay Sabang.

“Culling and disposal of poultry and infected materials have been completed. Avian Influenza control measures have been set in place,” according to the statement posted on the Facebook page of Batangas public information office around 4 p.m.

“These include the conduct of surveillance activities in the 1 and 7-kilometer radius zones and the establishment of checkpoints to limit the movement of poultry and poultry products in and out of the 1-kilometer zone,” it also states.

Marasigan explained that there are no nearby commercial poultry facilities in the infected area.

He also made it clear that no additional reports of poultry morbidity and mortality in the area were recorded.

Marasigan strongly encouraged all farms to continue implementing strict biosecurity measures and to adhere to the precautionary safeguards established by the provincial government.

He urged local government units and the private sector to always work together to ensure that the poultry industry of Batangas continues to thrive despite the challenges.

H5N1 is deadly to animals, and it is possible that it could infect humans and cause serious diseases, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

READ: Bird flu transmission to humans ‘very rare,’ but avoid contact with wild birds — DOH

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry said H5N1 is the prevalent strain in nearly all poultry outbreaks in 2021 and 2022. INQ

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