TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Albuera in Leyte has created a task force against bird flu or avian influenza.
Albuera Mayor Sixto dela Victoria issued an executive order forming Task Force LIPAD (Livestock, Immunization, Public Awareness, Avian Surveillance, and Disease Control Measures) that will serve as the primary operational unit for addressing bird flu-related concerns within the municipality.
"The task force shall develop and enforce guidelines for the proper management of livestock and implementation of biosecurity measures in agriculture settings, including poultry farms and markets," Dela Victoria said.
The task force will oversee the vaccination of poultry against bird flu and ensure the availability and distribute of vaccines to relevant stakeholders.
"The task force shall implement strict biosecurity measures in poultry farms, markets, and other relevant locations to control the spread of bird flu, including sanitation protocols, quarantine procedures, and restrictions on the movement of birds and poultry products."
The Department of Agriculture (DA)-8 had earlier confirmed the first case of avian influenza at the Leyte Poultry Development Corp.(LPDC), a chicken breeder farm in Kananga, Leyte.
At least 60,000 chickens were culled following the abnormal daily mortality rate in the farm earlier this month.
Albuera is the fifth local government unit in Leyte to create groups to protect their poultry and game fowl industries from bird flu.