CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Chinese experts lauded the efforts given by the Provincial Government in response to the avian influenza (AI) that struck the poultry industry in San Luis town last August.
This was gleaned during the Poultry Stakeholders Forum: Learning from the Avian Influenza Outbreak held at the Benigno Aquino Hall, Capitol Compound here.
Shandong Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Director Doctor Zhang Xiumei praised the fast acting officials of the provincial government and the local government of San Luis in containing AI and following the right procedures in eliminating the H5N6 virus strain.
“Pampanga was very fast in solving the problem of AI. We believe in the bright future of the poultry industry,” she said.
She also discussed to the poultry owners and raisers, fighting cock raisers, and businessmen the various biosecurity measures needed to avoid AI to happen again in the province. She also revealed that H5N6 strain is too weak to make any significant effect to humans especially if their immune system is boosted.
“Just have regular exercise and eat healthy meals. These are very simple steps but very helpful in avoiding AI to affect humans,” she added.
Acting Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda meanwhile thanked the Chinese expert in imparting her expertise to the poultry owners of the province. He also assured that the poultry industry will come back better and more robust.
He also bared that the provincial government will have further studies in handling AI by sending delegates to Shandong, China with the help of the New Hope Group.
“I discussed this with Board Member Ananias Canlas, Jr. and the New Hope Group to further study on bird flu in Shandong Province who happens to have vast production of poultry products. We can get representatives from the duck raisers, broiler and layer raisers and send them to China and try to get more experiences and lessons on how to fight AI,” he added.
The forum was attended by various groups and representatives of poultry raisers and businessmen to further strengthen their awareness in handling AI situations.
It was also attended by Committee Chairman on Agriculture Board Member Ananias Canlas, Jr.; Regulatory Division Chief from the Department of Agriculture-3 (DA-3) Dr. Eduardo Lapuz, Jr.; Integrated Laboratory Division Chief of DA-3 Dr. Milagros Mananggit, and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Augusto Baluyut, Jr.
PHILIP OCAMPO
