DA Confirms Detection H5N6 Bird Flu Strain In Nueva Ecija

DA Confirms Bird Flu in PH

DA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar confirmed the detection of H5N6 bird flu strain in Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu is a persistent threat to wild birds, poultry and other mammals. It has induced great losses in breeding industries around the world.

In a previous article, the Philippine government exerted an effort to keep the country free from bird flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned the public about the possible increase of bird flu among poultries.

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Photo Source: Manila Bulletin News

Based on a report from GMA News, the H5N6 could potentially affect humans. On Monday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed that a barangay in Jaen in Nueva Ecija tested positive for bird flu.

DA Secretary William Dar said they conducted tests in Barangay Ulanin-Pitak on Friday, March 13, 2020. The sampled they collected from the said barangay resulted positive for avian influenza.

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Photo Source: GMA News

According to the report, the tests were done following the increase of the mortalities on 1,500 out of 15,000 quails in one of the poultry farms in the area. William Dar said the strain has not affected humans in the Philippines yet.  

“The highly-pathogenic avian influenza is a disease of poultry that can affect humans… Globally, there have been only a few cases of human infections and all of these were reported in China,” he said.

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Photo Source: Science

Based on the report, humans can only get infected through discharge from quails, but the government agency clarified that there is a slim chance that it can be transmitted to humans.

The Agriculture Secretary said they have imposed a 1-7 protocol where a 1km radius will be the control zone and 7km radius beyond will be the surveillance zone.

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