The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Australia following reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7N3 and H7N9) in Victoria.

The outbreaks, reported on May 23 in Meredith and May 25 in Terang, were confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness and submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) by Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 21, halting imports of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Australia.

As such, the agriculture department said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will suspend the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC).

"All shipments from Australia that are in transit, loaded, or accepted at port before this order's official communication to Australian authorities will be allowed, provided the products were slaughtered or produced on or before May 9, 2024," the DA chief stated in the memorandum he signed on June 6.

With a total amount of 5,365 metric tons as of April of this year, Australia was the fourth-largest supplier of imported chicken meat, accounting for four percent of all chicken imports, according to the DA.

It added that Australia is the third largest source of mechanically deboned meat (MDM), contributing 4,162 metric tons, or 6.1 percent of total volume of MDM imports.

“During the same period, the Philippines has imported 46,987 heads of day-old chicks and 30,780 pieces of hatching eggs,” the agency said.

Bird flu or avian influenza is a virus that mainly affects birds but can also infect humans and other animals.

It spreads easily among birds and can cause serious illness and death in domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces, or through the air over short distances.