BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The biosecurity protocols of the provincial government against bird flu are already in place in major ports, disclosed Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana yesterday.
Lemana said she sees no problem in Negros Occidental, due to the existence of quarantine inspectors in various ports.
Negros Occidental presently bans the entry of all live domestic wild birds, ready to lay pullets, and their products, including table eggs and manure, from Luzon, Mindanao, Panay and Guimaras, following the detection of avian influenza or bird flu in Capiz.
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by any influenza virus affecting several species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as pet birds and wild birds.
Following the detection of bird flu in the region, Lemana said all of the PVOs in Western Visayas immediately held an emergency meeting in order to find a way to control the situation.
Lemana also said the local stakeholders in the province’s poultry industry have also convened.
Lemana revealed that eggs have greater chances to be a carrier of bird flu than layers, noting that virus is “embryo lethal.”
The estimated value of the poultry industry in Negros Occidental is P8 billion.*
