6 bird flu ‘hotspots’ tagged in Negros Occidental

The authorities have tagged at least six bird flu “hotspots" in Negros Occidental province, following sightings of migratory birds there. Online news site The News Today (www.thenewstoday.info) reported that these include the cities of Cadiz, Escalante, Sagay, Himamaylan, Bago and the town of San Enrique. Department of Agriculture technical director for operations in Western Visayas Remelyn Recoter said the sightings prompted them to tag these places are “areas of concern" for bird flu. Recoter said Western Visayas ranks third in poultry production in the country. It contributes 40 percent of the total national production. Citing data reaching the agriculture office, Recoter said the 87th death from bird flu was from Indonesia, where 80.55 percent of reported cases died. For her part, Office of Civil Defense regional executive director Priscilla Duque said the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei are the only countries in Southeast Asia that are still free of bird flu. Provincial councilor and health committee chairman Melvin Ibañez stressed the need for vigilance on the reporting of any illegal activities, sudden deaths or increase in poultry mortality due to limitations in surveillance system. - GMANews.TV