THE ILOILO Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) has intensified monitoring activities to prevent the entry of avian influenza virus (bird flu) in the province. PAO chief Ildefonso T. Toledo said that while the province is far from Pampanga, the infected area, and remains free from the disease, they remain alert on the possible spread of the virus. “My office is collaborating with the municipal agriculture officers as well as the Provincial Veterinarian Office,” he said. Mr. Toledo said there is no particular season on when the diseases attack as the virus could be dispersed through winds or birds as carrier. Poultry farmers have also been warned of potential signs of the disease. “If they have noticed any peculiar indication on chickens, ducks and quails that they are raising, they should immediately report it to the municipal agriculture office or to our office so we could verify it and act on it,” he added. The agriculture officer noted that there has been no record of bird flu in the province in the past. The bird flu outbreak was recorded in San Luis, Pampanga, with the province now placed under a state of calamity. The Department of Agriculture has also taken quarantine and culling measures to contain the disease. Poultry from Luzon are prohibited from being brought to Visayas or Mindanao. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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