LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — The entry of chicken and poultry products from Cagayan Valley has been banned in Pangasinan amid reported cases of avian influenza or bird flu in Isabela.
Gov. Amado Espino III issued an executive order on Monday implementing the ban to protect the poultry industry in the province as well as the general public from the ill effects of bird flu.
The EO noted that the Department of Agriculture regional office confirmed that around 200 chickens have died of bird flu.
It also cited research and diagnosis from the Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Laboratory, which confirmed avian flu cases in the region.
“There is an urgent need to prohibit the entry of chicken from Region 2 in Pangasinan,” the EO read.
Provincial veterinarian quarantine officers were tasked to put up checkpoints, such as along the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and other strategic areas.
“All local chief executives are directed to strengthen biosafety, hygiene and sanitation standards in slaughterhouses/abattoirs, public markets and poultry farms in their respective areas of jurisdiction,” the EO stated.