The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said 17,425 heads of layer chicken have been culled in the ongoing outbreak of bird flu in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
The BAI assured the effects of the culling on the supply of eggs in the country is “insignificant.”
Dr. Arlene Vytiaco, BAI assistant director, said yesterday several tests made last month showed the area was positive of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
“In Sta. Maria, Bulacan, aside from culling and depopulation, we conducted a one- kilometer surveillance to know if it has spread. We finished the one-kilometersurveillance and right now we’re still awaiting the lab results,” Vytiaco said.
BAI said it is also locating the source of the disease but said the outbreak could be traced either from the layer chicken stocks or migratory birds in the area.
Vytiaco saidt the culling does not have a huge impact on chicken egg supply not all of the 17,000 heads are in active laying stages.
BAI said after the results of the 1-km surveillance are released, the agency will then widen the screening to 7 kms to ensure the area is free from avian influenza.
In 2021, the World Organization for Animal Health declared the Philippines free of avian influenza but the DA said that the H5N1 strain of the virus was first detected in the country in February 2022.
Bird flu first hit the Philippines in 2017 with the H5N6 strain.
Based on DA’s monitoring of public markets in the National Capital Region, prevailing retail price as of yesterday ranges from P8 to P9 per piece of a medium-sized chicken egg.
