Department of Agriculture Central Visayas personnel on Wednesday were deployed to locations frequented by migratory birds that have flocked to Bohol from various areas, as part of the DA’s bid to prevent the spread of avian flu.
According to Atty. Salvador Diputado, DA-7 executive regional director, the towns of Calape and Talibon were listed as among common destination areas of migratory birds.
DA-7 personnel were dispatched to the said towns to monitor the movements of the birds and their overall health.
In Cebu, the towns of Argao, Minglanilla, Lilo-an, Cordova, Dalauete and San Francisco, and the cities of Naga and Talisay were also included in the DA-7’s list.
Birds in the islands of Olango and Bantayan in Cebu were also being monitored.
Meanwhile, the towns of Ayungon, Siaton, Manjuyod and Santa Catalina, and cities of Canlaon, Bayawan, Tanjay and Bais in Negros Oriental were also considered as “hotspots” for migratory birds.
A bird flu outbreak was declared in Pampanga on Friday last week prompting government agencies including the DA to launch precautionary measures against the spread of the disease.
For its part, the provincial Government of Bohol through Gov. Edgar Chatto has ordered the close monitoring of poultry products that enter the province banning those that come from Luzon.
However, Diputado allayed fears on the consumption of chicken and other poultry products in the region noting that these are safe to eat. (Rey Tutas)