‘Wild birds, fomites led to Philippines first H5N2 case’

MANILA, Philippines — Wild birds and fomites, or objects carrying viruses, could have caused the Philippines’ first-ever outbreak of the H5N2 avian influenza strain, according to an official government report.

The Philippines yesterday reported to the World Organization for Animal Health its first H5N2 outbreak in Camarines Norte last month.

The outbreak began as early as Nov. 11 last year and was confirmed through laboratory tests on Dec. 6.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) announced on Dec. 11 the outbreak to the public.

A farm in Barangay San Nicolas, Talisay, Camarines Norte recorded the outbreak, with backyard or grazing ducks being the affected population.

Based on the government’s report, at least 428 ducks were susceptible to the virus, with 15 confirmed positive for H5N2 bird flu.

Surveillance outside the restricted zone of the bird flu outbreak has yet to be applied, the government said.

As of Jan. 3, the BAI reported that about 136 barangays in 53 municipalities across nine provinces in five regions – including the Camarines Norte outbreak – were affected by bird flu.

The Department of Agriculture earlier assured the public that the outbreak in Camarines Norte has a low transmission rate to humans and would not cause a spike in the domestic prices of eggs and chicken meat.

Earlier this week, the DA imposed a temporary ban on imported poultry products from New Zealand due to a confirmed H7N6 bird flu outbreak.