BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Avian Influenza Task Force and stakeholders convened for an emergency meeting to come up with possible solutions to the Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak at the DA-CAR Conference Hall, Guisad recently.
Present during the meeting were representatives from the local government units, city and provincial veterinary offices (PVOs/CVOs), agricultural provincial coordinating officers (APCOs), representatives of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), RAC-ADCE, national government agencies in the region such as DENR, PSA, DepEd, NMIS-RTOC, and the private sector, such as chicken dung dealers, poultry dealers, and producers.
During the meeting, issues were raised concerning the control of the AI outbreak. One is the lack of manpower in quarantine checkpoints especially for 24/7 monitoring.
For strict implementation and to address the issue, the body recommended that PNP personnel in the locality aid in the monitoring. DA-CAR will coordinate with the PNP to assist in the enforcement of regulatory laws especially on quarantine. It is also strongly recommended that shippers of poultry products including chicken dung should secure shipping permits issued by BAI and health certificates from a government veterinarian in compliance with the rules of quarantine checkpoints.
BAI will implement revocation of handler’s license and certificate of registry for transport carriers for delinquent shippers.
Also, DA-CAR will coordinate with BAI through its National Veterinary Quarantine Services (NVQS) to identify and validate all entry points for possible additional checkpoints.
During the program, Dr. Lorenzo M. Caranguian, OIC-Regional Executive Director emphasized on points that need attention such as review of quarantine checkpoints in CAR, availability of drugs and biologics, protocol on reporting such cases, and to strengthen information campaign.
Dr. Anthony Bantog, Chief of Regulatory Division presented a situational report as of August 14, 2017 which includes the immediate actions taken by DA-CAR together with the BAI as defense to the bird flu outbreak in Cordillera.
In addition, DA-CAR through the Livestock Program is also strengthening its information education by posting updates through social media; briefers and other necessary information were sent out to PVOs/CVOs such as Manual of Operations, memorandum circular banning the transport of poultry, brochures on “Dos & DONTs”, and “What is Bird Flu” for wider campaign.
Other presentations included updates on AI virus and transmission, AI in humans, veterinary quarantine services, Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory updates, prices of poultry products, 2017 poultry statistics in CAR and reactivation of Regional Avian Influenza Task Force.
By Rebecca P. Dibdiben