6 bird flu 'areas of concern' identified in Negros Occidental
Bacolod City -- Six areas in Negros Occidental were identified as prone to Avian Influenza.
These are the cities of Cadiz, Escalante, Sagay, Himamaylan, Bago and the town of San Enrique.
Remelyn Recoter, Department of Agriculture in Region 6, technical director for operations, said these places are "areas of concern" for bird flu because migratory birds were often seen here.
Recoter said Western Visayas ranks third in poultry production in the country. It contributes 40 percent of the total national production.
Recoter noted the reported 87th death recently due to bird flu in Indonesia, where 80.55 percent are fatalities out of reported cases, and is followed by Thailand, with 68 percent mortality, China and Vietnam.
Prescilla Duque, OCD, executive officer said that in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei are the only countries that still free of Bird Flu. Dr. Melvin Ibanez, SP member and chair of the SP committee on health stressed the need for vigilance on the reporting of any illegal activities, sudden deaths or increase in poultry mortality because of limitations in surveillance system. (PIA/cad)