PH almost bird flu-free, says DA
The Department of Agriculture in Quezon City (Photo from its website)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is getting ready to wrap up its campaign against avian influenza as the downtrend in the number of active cases continues, with only two regions — Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon — still affected by the disease.
“The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has been working double time 24 hours a day to really guard our borderlines. Our border inspectors are there. Our disinfection facilities are working 24/7,” said BAI assistant director Jonathan Sabiniano.
Through its National Livestock Program (NPL), the DA released P27.5 million to the BAI to control and prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic bird flu.
After at least 28 days
Back in June, the DA announced that Baao, Balatan, Bula, Goa, Libmanan, Nabua and Sipocot towns in Camarines Sur, and Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur have been declared bird flu-free as both provinces tested negative for the virus more than 40 days since the completion of cleanup, disinfection and surveillance operations.
Both Camarines Sur and Davao del Sur previously recorded cases of the subtype H5N1 in March this year.
According to the World Organisation of the Animal Health, the bird flu-free status of a country or zone previously free of infection may be regained after a minimum period of 28 days, provided a stamping-out policy and disinfection of the last affected establishment were carried out, and the consequent surveillance demonstrated the absence of infection.
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