Bohol “Bird Flu” free

The agricultural province of Bohol is free from Avian Influenza, otherwise known as “Bird Flu”.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz during the “Tingog sa Mga Bol-anon Program” of the
provincial government last Friday said that even there  are no cases of Bird Flu in the province, measures to prevent
the entry of the virus have been strengthened.
“Tingog sa Mga Bol-anon Program” is aired every Friday, 8 a.m. to 9a.m.over DYRD.
Dr. Lapiz said that Bird Flu is caused by a virus, specifically coming from the highly pathogenic A (H5N6),
usually infecting bird and poultry and in rare occasion, it can cross contaminate from birds to humans.
She said that in an effort to prevent the possible entry of the virus to our province that could occur via exposure of
poultry to infected migratory birds, water fowl and sea bird or through direct contract with the importation of
infected or contaminated poultry, poultry products or fomites,  Governor Art C. Yap issued an Executive Order No.
40 “Adopting the National Protocol on Avian Influenza, otherwise known as “Bird Flu,” Protection Program and
creating a Provincial Task Force in the Province of Bohol that would take effect on August 5, 2020.
Dr. Lapiz stressed that the action of the governor came when there are sightings of migratory birds in barangays
Pantodlan, Cabacongan and Cabilao in Loon; Panggangan in Calape; Cogtong and Panas in Candijay; Buwangan,
Clarin; Dipatlong and Lincod in Maribojoc; Danao, Panglao; Malinao Dam in Poblacion, Pilar and in Talibon.
She said that based on regular surveillance the migratory birds had started to enter the mentioned towns in April
and this month they have also started to move going outside the province.
During their stay, the body secretions or dungs from infected migratory birds could contaminate the poultry farms.

PROGRAMS CREATED

The provincial government has adopted the 2016 National Avian Influenza Protection Program specifically the
pertinent provisions applicable to LGUs in the implementation of the protection program by creating the Provincial
Avian Influenza Task Force (PAITF) that composed the Provincial Executive Committee, the Committee on Animal
Protection, the Committee on Human Protection, and the Committee on Information, Education and Communication
(IEC).
The Executive Committee is tasked to provide policy direction and oversight function of the Bird Flu Task Force;
review and recommend preparedness and response plan; and identify and recommend sources of fund for the plan
while the committee on IEC shall ensure adequate awareness of the general public on matters and updates pertaining
to Avian Influenza.
The Committee on Animal Health Protection has the following components, viz: Surveillance Team which shall
conduct the regular surveillance and profiling of poultry disease in the identified priority areas in the province
specifically in places where sighting of migratory bird reported; wet market and poultry farms; Rapid Action Team
which shall carry out the immediate diagnosis of suspect premises and the initiation and implementation of the
stamping out procedure;
Quarantine Team shall ensure the implementation of the prescribed minimum bio-security measures in ports,
airports and poultry farms, the regulation and/or prohibition of animal movement, and document of in-coming and
out-going shipment of poultry, poultry products and birds;
And Census Team which shall conduct periodic identification and consolidation of data on poultry population,
kinds and location in the province.
Dr. Lapiz said that they strictly implemented the precautionary measures for the entry ofpoultry, poultry products
or fomites from other provinces to include the banning of entry of all poultry and poultry products coming from
Pampanga and Nueva Ecija who have been badly hit by the disease and also additional requirements to be required
such certificate from the Bureau of Animal Industry certifying that the poultry, poultry products have come from the
poultry farms that are Bird Flu free.
Lapiz disclosed that the other week, Gov. Yap had met the presidents of the Barangay Livestock Aide (BALA)
strengthening the measures against Bird Flu such disease poses imminent threat to the country’s poultry industry, to
the livelihood of the people and to food security of consuming public.
The provincial veterinarian said that like the COVID-19, the Bird Flu has no vaccine yet being produced/
discovered, thus following the protocols is a must. (Atoy Cosap)

STRENTHENING MEASURES.Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz during the
“TingogsaMgaBol-anon Program” of the provincial government last Friday says that the Bohol continues to
strengthen its measures against the disease of poultry, poultry products or fomites even that the province is
free from “Bird Flu.”“TingogsaMgaBol-anon Program” is aired every Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. over DYRD.