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DA warns against smuggled birds |
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Tuesday, 10 October 2006 |
DA warns against smuggled birdsTHE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has warned against the proliferation of smuggled poultry products, saying it could lead to the spread of the deadly avian flu virus.The BAI issued the warning due to reports of smuggling of exotic birds and poultry products from North Sulawesi and Kalimantan, Indonesia through the ports in southern Mindanao.
BAI Director Davinio Catbagan said in an interview that Indonesia was still grappling with the deadly avian flu virus.
"It is the illegal trade that we fear that might spread the (avian flu) virus, not the migratory birds," Catbagan said. "We need all the help we can get."
The DA has again sought the assistance of other line agencies, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Ports Authority, to tighten the watch on all the country's ports.
He said that the avian flu virus, also known as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, caused more than 30 deaths in Indonesia.
The avian flu that affects fowl and other bird species could be passed on to humans and a cure has yet to be found.
The Philippines has been free of the lethal avian flu virus for the last three years, unlike Japan, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. |
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