NAIA maintains bird flu alert

The alert against bird flu has been maintained at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as cases of the virus continues to be reported in other Asian countries.

The Veterinary Quarantine Office of the Bureau of Animal Industry at the NAIA clarified yesterday that the alert was never lowered since being raised last year in order. As a result, the ban remains on the entry of live animals that could possibly be carriers of the deadly virus.

Some of the affected countries included are Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, China, Laos and Pakistan.

The Animal Quarantine Service at the NAIA said that precautionary measures have always been maintained to prevent the entry of the virus into the country.

It said the ban on all importation of domesticated and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks and eggs from affected countries in Asia is still being observed.

Transhipment from the affected countries will still not be allowed to have a stop-over in the Philippines. – Sandy Araneta