LINGAYEN- The provincial government, together with the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has stepped up its information and education campaign on the dreaded bird flu disease although no single case has been reported yet.

Gov. Victor Agbayani earlier directed the office of the provincial veterinarian (OPVet) to closely monitor the movements of migratory birds and fowls being transported into the province.

Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian, said his office is implementing several measures in response to the governor’s directive.

Among the measures being undertaken include the establishment of strategic checkpoints, holding of seminars and intensified information disseminations drive.

Raquel Palad, OPVet livestock inspector III and monitoring officer, said that a project briefing and 3rd level training on avian population survey is set to be held this week at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Tebag, Sta. Barbara.

This is in preparation for the actual survey to be conducted from July 1 to 31 this year by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics along with district veterinarians and livestock inspector based in the province to gather more data concerning the virus.

The one-day seminar will be participated in by livestock inspectors coming from the 44 municipalities and 4 cities in Pangasinan.

Avian influenza virus is common in North America and has killed or has forced the culling of more than 200 million birds since it re-emerged in 2003. While ducks are not harmed by it, the virus kills chickens within 24 hours and is lethal to other species including human beings.

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