The Philippines has lifted the ban on poultry imports from Japan and Canada, following confirmation that the countries are free from the bird flu virus
In a report submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Japan Health Division’s chief veterinary officer Toshiro Kawshima said that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus appears to have been contained in the country and Japan is officially “free from HPAI”.
Following the declaration, the Philippines agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala has ordered the ban on Japanese imports be lifted, stated local newspapers.
The Philippines has also cleared the way for imports from the Canadian province British Columbia.
However, Alcala added that import transactions would be cleared in accordance with the rules of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service, and the Filipino agriculture department is monitoring OIE’s activities surrounding the screening of avian flu threats.
The HPAI is known to affect chickens, turkeys, quails and guinea fowl. It spreads rapidly, causes serious illnesses and results in a high mortality rate within 48 hours. However, the lower strain of the virus causes milder diseases, which could go undetected in certain avian species.
