Don’t buy, hunt exotic birds to prevent bird flu -- DENR
Kalibo, Aklan --Not buying, touching, hunting and eating exotic birds are some of the preventive measures the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here is advising to prevent the entry of bird flu in the country.
Derlito Rico of the DENR here, in a radio interview also said the selling of wild birds is also strictly prohibited, because this increases the risk of bird flu.
"Hunting and eating of wild and exotic birds is not worth it. Anyway, these birds are very small and could hardly satisfy hunger," Rico stressed.
Presently, the DENR is closely monitoring Aklan wetlands where migratory birds stay or rest to determine the different kinds of wild birds that visit the province.
The DENR is also putting up posters and billboards in major entry points of the province -- at the Caticlan Jetty Port and airport -- the jump-off point to Boracay Island; the Kalibo Airport and other major seaports so people will be aware of the danger of bird flu as well as to prevent them from bringing in or out of Aklan exotic and wild birds, an act strictly prohibited to prevent bird flu’s entry here.
Rico said the Philippines is still fortunate for being free from bird flu, but stressed that measures should be strictly put in place to retain this status. He said 11 Asian countries have reported cases of bird flu incidents already.
Currently, government agencies here tasked to monitor/employ preventive measures against bird flu -- the DOH, DENR, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET), the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), the Provincial Health Office, etc. are working together to keep this very contagious disease caused by birds from entering the country and the province in particular.
The latest count of BAS here on domestic chickens is at 1,108,556 while ducks number 71,362.
The preliminary count is in connection with the Avian Population Survey (APS) undertaken by BAS, deemed very important to determine which part of Aklan has the biggest population of domestic fowls which will help much in monitoring activities.
(PIA)