No sign of bird flu virus in Liguasan

KORONADAL CITY — The Central Mindanao office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said migratory birds in the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao have shown no signs of the avian influenza virus.

It cited the results of tests conducted by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on migratory birds from the four North Cotabato towns located near the Liguasan Marsh.

The Liguasan Marsh, known as a stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was among the 20 bird flu "hot spots" which the DA earlier had identified.

Mustapha Ismael, DA-Central Mindanao technical director, said BAI experts took blood samples of wild birds from the North Cotabato towns of Pikit, Midsayap, Tulunan and Kabacan.

"This means that Central Mindanao, including the Socsksargen (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) area, remains a bird flu-free region," he said.

Despite the negative findings, Ismael said they will continue monitoring the migratory birds entering the region.