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| Credit Philippines Dept Ag |
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Although we still don't have a definitive answer on the exact subtype of HPAI H5 avian flu that has emerged in the Philippines (see Friday's Philippines: Culling Ordered After First Detection Of HPAI H5 Avian Flu), we have a couple of updates from their Ministry of Agriculture, and the media now reports that the two `symptomatic' farm workers reported yesterday have (as expected) tested negative.
First this, from the Manila Times.
2 Pampanga farmers test negative for bird flu infection
By The Manila Times on August 16, 2017
THE two farmers in Pampanga who exhibited symptoms of bird flu infection tested negative, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.
Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag said the farmers have been informed of the results that were released by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
Tayag said the farmers who were hospitalized have been advised to rest at home and continue taking their prescribed medication.
The Philippines Department of Agriculture announced today plans to depopulate - with assistance from the Philippine Army - 600,000 birds from 36 farms in the affected area. Not all of these farms have tested positive for the virus, but are considered at risk due to their proximity to infected farms.
DA all set for depopulation
Agriculture Chief Manny Piñol announces that 36 farms have volunteered to have their chickens culled as part of the strategies of the government to contain the bird flu virus that has affected farms in San Luis, Pampanga. In line with the recent outbreak, DA has already sought the assistance of the Philippine Army to secure quarantine stations set-up in strategic locations to prevent the movement of poultry animals and products outside the affected areasIn a separate message from Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, we get details on the virus's spread, and the compensation plan for farmers.
Let’s fight avian flu together — Piñol
(Excerpt)
Piñol, who came with other DA officials and avian flu experts, assured all affected farmers that they will be compensated for every chicken that will be culled.
A compensation of 80 pesos per live chicken will be given to affected growers, on top of the 25,000 peso loan under Survival and Recovery Assistance Program or SURE. Under the credit facility managed by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), 5,000 pesos will be given as grant, while the remaining 20,000 pesos is payable in two years with no interest and no collateral.
Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda has also announced a state of calamity in the province to utilize the calamity funds to help affected farmers and growers.
The virus has already spread in the neighboring barangays of San Carlos and Sta. Rita.
Following the series of events, a one kilometer quarantine area from ground zero which is San Luis and a seven kilometer restricted area radius was implemented wherein movement of live poultry, meat, semen, blood, manure, eggs, feeds, and other similar products has been banned.(Continue . . . )
Media reports suggest that progress in depopulating these farms so far has been slow. The following excerpt comes from a Reuters report today in the Bangkok Post.
"I have asked the Philippine army to provide us with additional warm bodies to help us in depopulating the farms," Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol told a news conference.
While the risk of human infection is likely low, those who will be involved in this culling operation will be provided protective equipment, and placed on prophylactic antivirals."Six hundred thousand is no mean job. Our personnel are facing a difficult task and we lack people."Mr Pinol said the government had about 200 men in the area, but fewer than 20,000 birds had been culled since the outbreak was reported.Brigadier-General Rodel Mairo Alarcon said at least 300 soldiers would be sent to the province on Thursday to assist in the cull of chicken, quail and ducks.
