Poultry farmers in Leyte can now be assured that their farms are safe from the threat of avian influenza, more commonly known as “bird flu.”
In a memorandum circular issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel last October 29, the entire province has been placed under “bird flu-free” status.
“The province earned the declaration after 90 days of cleaning and disinfection operations and after surveillance activities yielded AI-negative results,” DA Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Andrew Orais said in a statement Tuesday.
Before the confirmation of the first case of highly contagious AI in Kananga town on March 19, the province of Leyte was free from the disease.
“Through the concerted efforts of the local government, DA, and the Bureau of Animal Industry, in applying effective disease control measures such as the immediate depopulation of infected birds, intensive cleaning and disinfection activities, and strengthened biosecurity measures, the threat of spreading the virus was immediately halted,” Orais added.
In the last week of March this year, at least 60,000 chickens were culled in a private breeder farm in Kananga town following the detection of the first case of AI disease in the Eastern Visayas region.
AI, or bird flu, is a disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.
These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred.
The DA continues to remind the public to remain vigilant and continue to observe the existing biosecurity measures implemented in poultry farms and in the region.
(With report from PNA)
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