Negros Oriental prohibits entry of fowls, poultry products from bird flu-hit areas
DUMAGUETE CITY—Aside from banning the entry of hogs and pork products from areas where African swine fever (ASF) was detected, the provincial government of Negros Oriental has also prohibited the entry of live domestic and wild birds due to the presence of avian influenza in some parts of the country.
Negros Oriental Gov. Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes on April 18, issued Executive Order (EO) No. 24 in a bid to protect the province’s poultry industry.
Reyes signed EO 24 on the same day that he issued EO 23, which prohibited the shipment of live hogs, pork, and other related products from Cebu and other provinces that have localities affected by ASF.
The Provincial Veterinary Office, in coordination with the component veterinary and agriculture offices, was directed to conduct surveillance of the identified critical and risk areas, and shall conduct laboratory sample collection for avian influenza screening.
Reyes said the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall monitor the occurrence of migratory or wild birds in the area.
A total ban was imposed on the entry into Negros Oriental of all live domestic and wild birds, ready to lay pullets and manure from Luzon, Mindanao, Panay, and Guimaras.
Avian influenza, the governor said, has affected ducks, chickens, game fowls, quails, pigeons, pet birds, and turkeys in different provinces in the country.
Reyes, however, allowed some exemptions as long as the minimum requirements are met.
The entry of raw poultry meat, he said, must have a Meat Inspection Certificate for local meat and a Certificate of Meat Inspection for imported meat. Meat Transport Vehicles must undergo disinfection at the point of entry to Negros Oriental.
Similar instructions were also set for the entry of hatching and table eggs, balut (fertilized developing duck egg embryo) that is boiled or steamed, day-old chicks, and imported game fowls, among others.
Bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian influenza viruses, which naturally spread among wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.
