Migratory birds, potential source of Bird Flu- DA

DAVAO CITY, April 12 (PIA)- Migratory birds are potential source of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and an official of the Department of Agriculture in the region is advising farmers to implement bio-security measures to prevent the entry of virus to the region.

“Dito sa Region 11 may identified tayo na critical areas for the migratory birds and part sila ng areas na sinu-surveillance natin sa pakikipagtulungan ng ating local government units (Here in Region 11 we have identified critical areas for the migratory birds they are part of areas under surveillance with the help of local government units),” Dr. Armie Capuyan, head of Plant Pest and Animal Disease Monitoring and Surveillance Section of DA-11 said.

She said that since they cannot control where migratory birds will perch they are urging farmers to institute bio-security measures to prevent migratory birds from coming in contact with their poultry or farm animals.

“It is the farmers responsibility na ikulong ang kanilang mga ibon and possible mag-implement ng bird proofing gaya ng paglagay ng mga nets para hindi makapasok ang ibang mga birds sa kanilang mga farms (It is the farmers responsibility to contain their birds and if possible implement bird proofing like installing nets so other birds cannot enter their farms),” Dr. Capuyan said.

She is sounding this call to farmers living near coastal areas where migratory birds converge and also those in the farms as wild birds would flock to eat at animal feeds scattered in the farm.

Dr. Capuyan added that Avian Influenza can also be transmitted to other animals such as hogs, thus the need to institute bio-security measures in the farms.

No Local Case

Currently there is no local case of Avian Flu, the avian flu case recorded in Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur came from a grazing flock of ducks which originated from a nearby province which is part of Region 12. 

“Yung farmer po nanggaling sa Region 12, resident siya ng President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, ang business nya po ay grazing ducks. Traveling ducks sila transient sila from one place to another, pumupunta sila sa areas na may harvest ng palay (The farmer came from Region 12, he is a resident of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. His business is grazing ducks. These are traveling ducks, transient from one place to another they go to areas where there are harvest of palay),” Dr. Capuyan said.

The ducks entered the region in February of this year and during that time DA-11 had received reports of an avian influenza case in Region 12. The DA-11 immediately checked on the borders of the region and with the help of the LGU identified duck farmers who have entered Region 11.

“May na-identify sila so gi quarantine po natin yung mga farmers no movement at the same time priniority natin sila for test sa avian influenza (They identified farmers so we quarantined them no movement at the same time we prioritized them for tests on avian influenzas),” Dr. Capuyan said.

The flock, where ducks were found positive of avian influenza were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease to local birds. (PIA/RG Alama)