Philippines reports new bird flu outbreaks  

MANILA, Philippines — Avian influenza or bird flu continues to spread across the country as new outbreaks have been recorded in Luzon and Mindanao.

In two separate follow-up reports to the World Organization for Animal Health, the Philippines said new avian flu outbreaks were detected in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Isabela,  Tarlac, Benguet and Laguna in Luzon.

In Mindanao, bird flu outbreaks were recorded in South Cotabato, particularly in Barangays Teresita and Katipunan in Sto. Niño town.

In Pampanga, active outbreaks were reported in Barangays San Nicolas II, Turu, San Carlos and Dela Paz Norte.

Resolved outbreaks were registered in Barangays Laug, San Miguel, Del Pilar, San Isidro, Cansinala, Bahay Stop, Malino, Sto. Niño, San Pedro and Lourdes.

The report said outbreaks were also recorded in Barangays Tibag, Iba and Maungib in Tarlac as well as in Calaba and San Roque in Nueva Ecija.

Barangays Bantug Petines in Isabela, Mayondon in Laguna and Pico in Benguet are the other areas with confirmed bird flu outbreaks.

A total of 498 new bird flu cases were registered in Luzon and 21 in Mindanao.

In its report, the Philippines said 82,245 birds died of avian flu in Luzon while 198,394 were killed to stop its spread.

In Mindanao, 795 birds died of the avian flu virus while 14,302 were culled to stop the spread of the disease.

Bureau of Animal Industry executive director Reildrin Morales said the government allocated an initial P25 million from the Department of Agriculture’s quick response fund to indemnify affected poultry farmers.

He said P100 would be given for every culled chicken and duck and P15 for every culled quail.

Morales said more funding would be requested if necessary.

Bird flu was first detected in a duck farm in Barangay Barangka in Baliuag, Bulacan on Jan. 6.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar had earlier called for stricter control and containment measures against avian influenza amid reported outbreaks in several provinces.