Zambo remains avian-influenza free
Zamboanga City remains to be free from the avian influenza or bird flu strain based on results of the Avian Influenza Surveillance conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in cooperation with the City Veterinarian Office.
In a report submitted to Mayor Celso Lobregat, City Veterinarian Mario Ariola said serological tests conducted on fowls and other animals in identified vulnerable barangays yielded negative results of avian influenza virus.
Ariola said the surveillance covered the monitoring and observation of the fowls such as chicken, turkey, guinea fowl, geese and ducks. The tests were done through blood sampling and cloacal swab collection.
The DA gathered blood samples from a total of 187 fowls to test against antibodies avian influenza virus.
The surveillance covered from January 15, 2010 to February 5, 2010.
The conduct of the Avian Influenza Surveillance is one of the programs initiated by the City Veterinarian office in collaboration with the DA to ensure that the city remains free from the bird flu.
In 2009, Zamboanga City has been cited as the country’s first city to develop a City Avian Influenza Contingency Plan , a program aimed to protect Zamboanga from avian flu commonly known as bird flu and caused by viruses adapted to birds.
“The City Veterinarian office and the DA worked hand in hand to monitor and observe the different animals in the identified barangays that are highly vulnerable to avian influenza”, Dr. Ariola said.
Meanwhile, Ariola said surveillance activities will continue to ensure that the avian-influenza free record of Zamboanga will be sustained. The next blood sample collection will be between the months of March and May and the third will be from October to December this year.
Last year, it is recalled, the DA through Regional Executive Director Oscar Parawan conferred the plaque of recognition to Mayor Celso Lobregat for his “invaluable support in the implementation of Avian Influenza Protection Program as the first city in the country to develop a City Avian Influenza Contingency Plan.”
The city government, through the City Veterinarian Office under Dr. Mario Ariola, in cooperation with other concerned agencies developed a contingency plan to prevent and control the spread of the bird flu virus in the city as soon as the threat loomed in other parts of the country and the world.
On instructions of Mayor Lobregat, the contingency plan has been developed and executed that makes Zamboanga an avian flu free city. Zamboanga City is clinically ready and capable of detecting and controlling the dreaded Avian Influenza with the operation of the Regional Avian Influenza Diagnostic Laboratory, a project of the DA regional office. (Sheila Covarrubias)