TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Office 8 is activating its Regional Avian Influenza Protection Program Task Force to conduct surveillance and monitoring activities as well as monitoring of prices of poultry commodities.
The activation of the task force was in reaction to the outbreak of avian flu in the province of Pampanga which is now under a state of calamity because of the outbreak Dr. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, DA’s assistant director for operations, said.
Orais also announced that there is a temporary ban of movement and transfer of live domestic and wild birds and their products and by- products from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao regions and closely coordinating with the Veterinary Quarantine personnel.
As of press time, there is no report of bird to human contamination.
Malacañang released a statement on the outbreak in Pampanga and asked the public to remain calm but be extra vigilant.
A heightened surveillance is in effect for flu-like symptoms in Pampanga within a 7 km radius of the affected farms in Barangay San Luis, Pampanga.
Orais added that the agency is conducting series of meetings with regional veterinarians and getting updates/situationer as well as instructions from the regional office.
This week the Regional Advisory Committee on Animal
Disease Control and Emergency (RAC-ADCE) convened to discuss further the activities based on avian influenza protection program.
(VICKY C. ARNAIZ)
