Batanes tightens watch vs bird flu

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Health authorities warned Batanes residents yesterday from catching birds to avoid getting the bird flu virus brought by migratory birds from Taiwan and China.

The advisory from the Batanes provincial health office came as the yearly migration of birds into the country is approaching.

Roel Nicolas, of the provincial health office, advised residents not to capture migratory birds, particularly the paloma and valichit.

Reports said the two bird species come from China and Taiwan where a number of avian influenza or bird flu cases have been monitored.

Batanes, the country’s smallest province in terms of area and population, is nearer to Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City than the mainland Luzon.

Migratory birds migrate to tropical countries like the Philippines, especially during the latter part of the year to escape the cold weather in the northern hemisphere. 

Besides China, the birds also come from Japan, Korea and Siberia.