Bird flu: Cebu bans poultry from Luzon

CEBU, Philippines — Poultry and related products from Luzon are banned in Cebu City to prevent the spread of avian influenza or bird flu.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the ban on Wednesday after Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order prohibiting the entry of all poultry, wild birds, day-old chicks, semen, fresh eggs, embryonated eggs, manure and other poultry by-products from Luzon for 45 days starting March 8.

Rama expressed hope that the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue would adopt similar measures.

Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, head of the city’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, said the city government sent a letter to the regional quarantine office regarding the ban.

Maribojoc cited confirmed reports by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of avian flu cases in Luzon.

She said they immediately informed groceries and public markets and issued guidelines, especially on eggs and balut.

Potential outbreak in Bicol

As this developed, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda expressed concern over a potential bird flu outbreak in Bicol after cases were detected in Bula and Sipocot towns in Camarines Sur.

“While my office is validating these reports, I am deeply concerned about a potential outbreak in these areas as Albay sources poultry products, particularly eggs, from these municipalities,” he said.

Salceda asked Agriculture Secretary William Dar for assistance in preventing an avian flu outbreak in Albay.

He asked Dar whether reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests are available in Albay and if biosafety measures can be taken by farmers and poultry raisers to prevent the transmission of avian flu.

Salceda assured Dar of his willingness to help even as he advised the Bureau of Customs to strengthen the country’s borders against smuggled poultry.

The congressman said he would request the Philippine Ports Authority and Department of Transportation to work with the DA to come up with guidelines to strengthen avian flu prevention measures.

In its latest report to the World Organization for Animal Health, the Philippines said new bird flu outbreaks have been detected in quail and duck farms in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Camarines Sur.

The outbreaks earlier reported in quail farms in Candaba and Mexico in Pampanga have been resolved.

The BAI said affected quail and ducks have been culled and properly disposed. – /The Freeman, Delon Porcalla