Poultry raisers: What bird flu outbreak?

MANILA, Philippines — Avian influenza cases in the country are on the rise, but poultry raisers said the industry is unaware because the Department of Agriculture (DA) failed to provide data on the affected areas.

“We have data from the Department of Agriculture that there was an increase in the number of cases of avian influenza or bird flu in the country. It is important for the pharmaceutical industry to apply for a vaccine,” Food and Drug Administration Policy and Planning Services communication section head Jordan Paguirigan Paguirigan said.

When asked for comment, United Broiler Raisers Association and Philippine Egg Board chairman Gregorio San Diego said they are not aware of the reported rise in bird flu cases.

San Diego lamented that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) failed to release a situation report.

”They are in chaos or they are deliberately doing it,” San Diego told The STAR.

BAI data as of Dec. 15 showed that an outbreak of avian flu was reported in Balanga City in Bataan and Concepcion, Tarlac, which affected duck farms.

In November, an outbreak of avian flu was reported only in Balanga.

Paguirigan said the Food and Drug Administration is encouraging veterinary pharmaceuticals to apply for a certificate of product registration to help manage avian influenza in the country.

He said the DA tries to control the spread of bird flu through border inspection and disinfection of the affected areas in the absence of a vaccine against the disease.