THE LOCAL government strengthened preventive measures against avian influenza or bird flu by issuing a ban on the entry of live birds and their byproducts from infected areas and adding more checkpoints at all entry and exit points in the city.
In a meeting with the Department of Agriculture (DA) two weeks ago, it was confirmed that cases of avian flu have been reported in neighboring provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Magsaysay town in Davao Del Sur.
City Veterinarian Dr. Cerelyn Pinili said Davao City is classified under Stage 1 or avian influenza-free area.
Pinili said they are doing their best to ensure that Davao City remains avian influenza-free by adding checkpoints. The city has now a total of 15 quarantine checkpoints due to many bypass roads.
The establishment of checkpoints at all entry and exit points has been coordinated with the Philippine Army, Davao City Police Office, and Task Force Davao.
Pinili said that Executive Order 19 Series of 2022 orders a temporary ban on the entry of all live domestic and captured wild birds, and their products and by-products, including day old chick, eggs, semen, manure, and feathers from Luzon and other areas with reported cases of Avian Influenza is crafted to ensure a uniform policy on the entry of birds in the city.
The ordinance also sets the requirements for the entry of live domestic and captured wild birds and their products and by-products from unrestricted regions into the City of Davao.
Pinili also called on the public to cooperate and help maintain Davao City as avian-influenza-free.
“I-strengthen nato ang atoang bio-security, hygiene and sanitation sa atoang mga poultry farm, may it be commercial or backyard, sa atoang dressing plants and sa atoang live bird’s market. Kung naay namatikdan na usual death sa poultry farm, do not hesitate to report it to the City Veterinarian’s Office (We must strengthen our bio-security, hygiene, and sanitation of our poultry farm, may it be commercial or backyard, our dressing plants, and our live birds’ market. If you can see unusual deaths in your poultry farm, do not hesitate to report it to the City Veterinarian’s Office,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pinili also asked for the patience and cooperation of the shippers regarding the procedures at the checkpoints because these are aimed to ensure compliance with required documents upon entry to the city.
