DA sending avian flu-infected birds for testing in Australia

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be sending bird samples infected by the avian influenza to Australia for further testing.

"Ipapadala natin sa Australia for genetic sequencing," Arlene Vystacio, head of the Animal Disease Control Section of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

Some birds have been infected by the avian influenza virus type A subtype H5 in Pampanga.

Vystacio noted the test will be able to detect which type N subtype of the virus was reported in Pampanga. "We still have to know ano 'yung N na subtype," she said.

"'Yung avian influenza po talaga, 'yung complete na substrain niya kailangan ma-identify 'yung H and 'yung N," she added.

Certain subtypes of the virus could potentially be transferred to humans.

Asked why the Philippines still had to send samples to Australia for testing, Vystacio said the country has no kits for the tests, and it would be faster to send out the samples to Australia.

The tests will take approximately two weeks, she said. — VDS, GMA News