[Agriculture Secretary William Dar said duck and quail farms in Central Luzon farms are mostly affected by bird flu, which he reiterated, was caused by migratory birds visiting the country. (Photo from Department of Agriculture)]

The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared on Wednesday, March 30, an outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or H5N1 in the country. This, as the DA reported an increasing number of avian flu cases mostly in Central Luzon, Manila  Bulletin reported.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said duck and quail farms in Central Luzon farms are mostly affected by bird flu, which he reiterated, was caused by migratory birds visiting the country. “Most ducks and quails in Central Luzon were infected. We already provided assistance to farmers affected by the outbreak,” Dar said over Laging Handa briefing. In an earlier statement, the DA chief said that the agency had already issued a memorandum circular (MC) to intensify its containment and control of the disease. Under the MC, the DA “will regulate the movement of ducks, quails, chicken, and other poultry in bird-flu-affected areas, especially commodities from within the one-kilometer (km) quarantine area.” 

To properly implement the guidelines under the MC, the department and its attached agency, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has also coordinated with concerned local government units (LGUs), Regional Field Offices (RFOs), and other poultry industry stakeholders.