Manila: The Philippines has taken immediate action to protect its poultry industry from the spread of bird flu. On Thursday, the Philippine Department of Agriculture issued a temporary ban on the import of birds and poultry products from the U.S. state of South Dakota. This decision follows the outbreak of avian influenza in the state.
Bird Flu Outbreak in South Dakota
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that South Dakota reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 on December 17, 2024. This strain of bird flu is highly contagious and dangerous to both wild and domestic bird populations. Due to this, the Philippines moved quickly to prevent the disease from entering the country. The ban covers the import of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products such as chicken meat, chicks, and eggs from South Dakota.
Immediate Actions to Prevent Spread
Agriculture Secretary Francisco T. Laurel issued an order to stop the import of birds and poultry products from the affected region. He also instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to halt the processing of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for shipments coming from South Dakota. The order ensures that no new shipments from the state will enter the Philippines until further notice.
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Exceptions for Current Shipments
The Philippine government clarified that shipments already in transit or at the port will be allowed, as long as the poultry products or birds were processed or slaughtered on or before November 23, 2024. This exception is aimed at preventing unnecessary disruptions to existing trade while still ensuring that no potentially infected products enter the country.
Global Bird Flu Concerns
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is a major concern globally. It primarily spreads among wild waterfowl but can also infect domestic poultry and other animal species. The Philippines’ quick response highlights the country’s efforts to protect its local poultry industry, which is a vital part of its agricultural economy.
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