Amid COVID-19 outbreak, Philippines detects highly infectious bird flu virus

As world is scrambling to fight escalation of vel coronavirus, Philippines has detected a highly infectious bird flu virus on a quail farm. According to reports, Philippine Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Monday said that a highly infectious H5N6 sub of influenza A virus has been detected in a quail farm and it has same strain that hit local poultry farms in 2017. 

New avian flu detected

As per reports, William Dar said that avian flu has been detected in Jaen municipality in Nueva Ecija province in rrn Philippines where around 1,500 birds have died in a single quail farm. Dar furr ded that a total of 12,000 quails have been buried alive to prevent spre of virus to or farms. Dar while speaking to media said that animal quarantine checkpoints have been set-up to restrict movement of all live stocks to and from isolated area.

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statement by ministry re, " Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Nueva Ecija received reports of increased mortalities of 1,500 out of 15,000 quails in one farm in Barangay. Ulanin-Pitak, Jaen, Nueva Ecija on March 9, 2020. Tests showed this was caused by H5N6 sub of influenza A virus, or avian influenza."

"We will ensure that incidence will be contained effectively and swiftly to prevent occurrence of unfortunate outbreak a few years ago. We would like to emphasize that this is a single case affecting one quail farm only," said Agriculture chief in official statement.

As per reports, agriculture ministry is currently investigating to identify source of infection. Department of Agriculture also encourd poultry stakeholders to report any unusual poultry mortalities to its municipal or city, provincial veterinary offices.

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William Dar furr informed that bird flu is currently affecting only one quail farm in province, however, surveillance will be carried out to ensure flu hasn't progressed to or parts of area. Dr. Arlene Vytiaco, a technical spokeswoman for agriculture department has said that chances of transmission to humans are very low as it is only possible through excretion or secretion. 

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Philippines like all or countries in world was busy battling COVID-19 outbreak that has claimed 12 lives in country so far. According to reports, re are 123 active coronavirus cases in Philippines, of which one patient is under critical condition. Philippines on Sunday h imposed a partial lockdown in capital Manila in order to prevent spre of virus. 

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