Article by:
Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local government is imposing a temporary ban on the entry of all live poultry and non-poultry, including day-old chicks, pullet, table eggs and salted eggs.
The temporary total ban also covers ready-to-lay pullets, ducks and quail, embryonated (locally known as “balut"), manure, and other products and byproducts from mainland Luzon and other Avian Influenza-affected areas.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar issued Executive Order 720, providing a temporary ban until April 15 after the birds, ducks and quails in Bulacan and Pampanga farms.
In a statement Tuesday, Salazar described the avian influenza as a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza “A” virus affecting several species of food producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl) as well as pet and wild birds.
She noted reports indicating that a number of provinces in Luzon such as Laguna and Camarines Sur had also recorded confirmed cases of avian influenza, while some provinces were still under surveillance and testing.
She said the city government, through the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet), is imposing strict border control and quarantine inspection at all entry points of the city—sea, land and air.
She also ordered all barangay chairpersons, barangay biosafety officers, OCVET-Veterinary Biosafety Officers to strengthen and implement minimum biosecurity measures in their respective area of jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Salazar urged the public to report unusual sickness and mortality of poultry birds, ducks, pet birds to the OCVet or to the nearest OCVet Field Offices.
Salazar also requested the people to avoid contact with resident, wild or migratory birds found in their areas, and not to handle and consume poultry birds, ducks, quails which have died from unknown causes. (PNA)
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