By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

As part of precautionary measures against avian influenza or bird flu, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is monitoring migratory birds in the southern part of the province.

The province’s southern city of Sipalay is currently being regarded as a flyway for birds that are currently migrating from cold weather conditions in the north, PVO officer-in-charge Dr. Placeda Lemana said.

The pvo, together with the Bureau of Animal Industry, is regularly taking blood samples from the birds for laboratory tests against bird flu.

Lemana said other flyway areas tagged by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau are also being monitored.

Based on data released by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in 2020, 80 migratory bird species are found in the province, mostly in the wetland areas.

Some of these birds are also listed as “threatened” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Earlier, the provincial government prohibited the entry of live birds and poultry products from areas affected by bird flu, particularly from the neighboring islands of Panay and Guimaras.

The inspection and monitoring are being conducted in two major ports in Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, all local chief executives in the province are directed to strengthen biosafety, hygiene and sanitation standards in poultry, markets and farms./DGB, WDJ