BUTUAN CITY — While there is no reported case of bird flu infection in Caraga Region yet, agriculture officials said they are not taking any chances.
A multi-agency task force will be reactivated anytime this week to coordinate the region’s efforts to prevent the entry of infected poultry products in local markets, said John Gamboa, chief of the Integrated Laboratory Division at the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-Caraga).
Gamboa clarified that the region’s poultry products remain fit for human consumption. He added that preventive measures are being undertaken following the “unfortunate incident” in San Luis, Pampanga, where a bird flu outbreak has been confirmed.
He said the Regional Avian Influenza Task Force (RAITF) will be tasked with monitoring possible avian flu cases and establish measures to prevent potentially compromised poultry products from entering the region.
RAITF will consist of representatives from DA, the National Meat Inspection Services, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health.
Eric Gallego, DENR-Caraga information officer, said their agency has been monitoring the migratory birds coming in and flying out of the region—such as the Agusan Marsh.
A representative from the National Meat Inspection Service also said they are tightening quarantine measures on the region’s seaports, airports, as well as on all entry points in Caraga.
Despite the bird flu scare in the country, prices of poultry products have remained stable, said Lyn Parenas, chief of the DA Caraga Agribusiness and Marketing Division. (PNA/Noel B. Najarro)
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