The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas yesterday assured the public that the avian flu virus has not reached the region, particularly Capiz.

Larry Nacionales, officer-in-charge and executive director of the DA in Western Visayas, made the assurance during the management meeting held at Sigma Capiz last week, a press release from the DA said. There was no sign of avian flu virus nor death of birds or poultry animals in the area caused by the disease, Dr. Leonel Abordo, Capiz provincial veterinarian of Capiz, said.

Sapi-an, Sigma, Ivisan and Roxas City were suspected to have been at risk of bird flu because it is identified as part of the migratory path of birds coming from other Asian countries, the press release said.

The agriculture, environment and health departments have intensified the monitoring of migratory birds and the conduct of regular bird identification, bird counting, surveillance of suspected areas and the advocacy campaigns in identified "red-alert areas", it said.

The ban on importation of all live domestic and wild poultry and all poultry products from avian influenza affected countries is still up under the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Animal Industry, the press release added.

There are 20 identified critical areas undergo surveillance of poultry twice a year by the DA-BAI including Capiz.

Nacionales said he has directed the heads of the different attached bureaus and institutions of the agency in the region to prepare specific protocols to ensure complete preparedness in the field in case of an outbreak of avian influenza happens in the region. Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap has expressed concern over the outcome of the alleged reports about the avian flu disease in any area in the Philippines, saying it can can jeopardize the P150 billion poultry industry in the country. *

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