2 weeks ago
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TUGUEGARAO CITY — The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) of the Cagayan provincial government said it has been conducting surveillance in various towns in the province that are often visited by migratory birds that are carriers of the bird flu virus or avian influenza.
According to Dr. Myka Ponce of PVET, the surveillance aims to "make the whole of Cagayan free of avian influenza."
"PVET surveillance is conducted twice a year, especially in coastal areas and swampy towns, in Cagayan," Ponce said.
She said the surveillance involves collecting blood samples, swabbing, and the immediate laboratory analysis of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese that are always in the swamps.
The veterinarian said the PVET in recent days went to the barangay of Backiling, Gaddang, Dodan, Paddaya, Caaggaman and Bukig in Aparri town where they collected 190 blood samples.
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The surveillance team also collected 180 blood samples in Barangay Catotoran Norte, Agusi, Sapping, Bulala, Casili Norte and Casili Sur in Camalaniugan town.
The collected blood has been submitted to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) in Tuguegarao City and the result will be known after two to three weeks.
Ponce added that the PVET initiative will continue this coming week in the towns of Buguey, Santa Teresita and Santa Ana this province.
According to the PVET, among the symptoms of bird flu in pets are respiratory infection, fever, flu, and the presence of sore eyes.
Ponce said there is no human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus.
