INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the detection of the first case of bird flu in Camarines Norte won’t affect retail prices and supply amid the holiday season.

The Bureau of Animal (BAI) said on Wednesday that Camarines Norte recorded its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza this month, the latest area to be hit by this animal disease.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Camarines Norte reports first bird flu case

FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: Spare MAP the drama: Bonoan drops presidency BUSINESS It’s final: BCDA regains control of John Hay BUSINESS RLC to spend P100M on office lobby ‘reinvention’

“We do not see any impact of the new active case of avian influenza in Talisay, Camarines Norte… [on local supply],” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a Zoom interview on Thursday.

The rupee INR=IN was quoting at 83.9750 per US dollar compared with its close at 83.9675 in the previous session. The currency had declined to its all-time low of 83.9850 last month.

Meralco said that power rates will drop by P0.3587 per kilowatt-hour for the October billing period, bringing this month’s overall rate to P11.4295 per kWh from P11.7882 per kWh in September.

“It will not have an impact on [retail] prices,” de Mesa, concurrently serving as the DA’s spokesperson, told reporters. De Mesa said only Pandi, Bulacan and Talisay, Camarines Norte have active cases of bird flu based on the latest tally while previously reported cases were already controlled.

free real money casino no depositArticle continues after this advertisement

“But then again if you look at our cases, our bird flu incidents are easily controlled. And immediately, once controlled, we will declare the area bird-flu free,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

The BAI launched an investigation following the detection of type A subtype H5N2 at a duck farm located in Talisay, which was reported by the Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory on Dec. 6.

Article continues after this advertisement

This would trace the movement of birds and identify additional risks while the DA’s regional field office in Bicol has activated its command center to oversee operations.

This was the first time that BAI recorded this type of strain but de Mesa said the agency still has to disclose the incident for transparency purposes.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The more common strain is H5N1. If you will research H5N1, you’ll find it is more virulent and spreads more easily compared to H5N2, which is less likely to be transmitted to humans. In other words, H5N2 has a lesser impact, but it still needs to be reported by the [BAI],” he added.

While getting to the bottom of this situation, the BAI already culled infected animals on Dec. 10 and concluded the 1-kilometer surveillance the following day.

De Mesa assured that certain measures are in place to curb the spread of bird flu and other animal diseases in the Philippines including quarantine and biosecurity protocols.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild birds. It is caused by viruses divided into multiple subtypes whose genetic characteristics rapidly evolve.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

In Metro Manila marketsnexus88 gaming, whole chicken retailed between P175 and P240 per kilogram as of Dec. 11, higher than P140-P200 per kg on the same day a year ago, according to the DA’s price monitoring.

READ NEXT Korean Air buys majority stake in rival Asiana Airlines Gov’t eyes more diversified external financing before losing... EDITORS' PICK When a breadwinner’s burden becomes too heavy, it’s simply ‘abuse’ Bar exam result 2024: 3,962 passed – Supreme Court Camotes shooting: Couple, daughter killed by close friend over debt Marcos aims to make PH military a ‘world-class force’ LIVE UPDATES: Bar exam results 2024 Chinese General Hospital extends discounts to media employees MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Bar exam results 2024 Scores of bar topnotchers to be displayed, SC clarifies Bar exam result 2024: 3,962 passed – Supreme Court Lacson belies fake quote card: Confidential funds also subject to audit Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments