RP says it is free from bird flu

RP says it is free from bird flu

PHILIPPINES: The Philippines said on Monday that it was still free of the H5N1 virus after tests conducted on ducks infected by a low-risk strain of bird flu turned out to be negative for the deadly strain.

According to the Agriculture and Health departments, "no active infection" was found in the duck samples sent to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL).

"The Philippines is free from any highly pathogenic avian influenza as confirmed by the AAHL," the departments said in a joint statement.

On July 8, the government announced that a "weak strain" of bird flu was detected in three ducks in a backyard farm in Calumpit town, Bulacan province, just north of Manila.

The government said the lab found the ducks were exposed to "a low pathogenic avian virus, but their natural immune systems apparently eliminated the low-risk flu strain".

The Philippines had voluntarily suspended poultry exports after the discovery of the infection in Calumpit.

The government said the Bureau of Animal Industry was also lifting a 3-kilometer-radius quarantine imposed around the farm but assured the public that routine surveillance would continue.

The Philippines is the only country in Asia with a significant poultry industry not affected by H5N1. It has stepped up measures to keep the virus out. -- DPA