MAFAR intensifies AI (H5NI) monitoring, surveillance in Maguindanao
MAGUINDANAO- A joint effort of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry has conducted a monitoring and surveillance campaign of Avian (Bird) flu influenza in the municipalities of Buluan, Datu Paglas, Datu Saudi, Paglat, Mangudadatu, and Pandag.
It was spearheaded by Dr. Raheima A. Maguindra, veterinarian of MAFAR, Dr. Geraldson Navarra veterinarian of DA-BAI, and the Provincial Veterinary Office of Maguindanao by Dr. Yussof M. Mangudadatu on March 28 to April 1, 2022.
Dr. Manguindra said that it is necessary to conduct a monitoring and surveillance activity to avert the widespread of avian disease and that the primary target is ducks and chickens.
She further explained that Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.
These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species, Maguindra added.
Dr. Geraldson Navarra has strictly led the group in the proper donning and capping of personal protective equipment (PPE) because the said influenza is transferrable to man.
The campaign was also under the DA Central Office declaration of an outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or H5NI on March 30, 2022, issued by Secretary William Dar.
In undertaking the surveillance and monitoring activity, blood samples were taken from ducks and chickens, particularly the wings and Oropharyngeal swabs in the different barangays of the said municipalities.
The barangays that were tested are the following; Brgys. Popol and SPDA (Buluan), Brgy. Madia, Sitio Gadong (Datu Saudi), Brgys. Katil, Salendab, Poblacion and Bunawan (Datu Paglas), Brgys. Damakling, Tual, and Poblacion (Paglat), Brgys. Tumbao and Sarangen (Mangudadatu), Brgys. Kayopo and Lepak (Pandag).
A total of 252 blood samples and swabs on OP/cloaca of ducks and 39 chickens were collected and tested if it was positive or negative.
Other veterinary doctors in attendance were Dr. Marilou V. Samar and Abidah Pali of the Office of the Provincial Veterinary, Dr. Chris Joy Pangol, Livestock Inspector Aliman Aladdin, and other staff from the Bureau of Animal Industry, Dr. Raheima A. Manguindra, Agriculturists Jenny Q. Fajardo, Zukarno U. Landasan, Nawawi A. Zacaria and Abdulrasid D. Alimpang of MAFAR.