Philippines reports second outbreak of bird flu

The Philippines has reported a 2nd outbreak of bird flu – a week after the country recorded its 1st case of the poultry disease.

The 2nd case was detected in 2 quail farms in the Jaen municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, north of the capital Manila.

The total cull consisted of:

200,000 quails,
57,000 broilers,
28,000 layers and
22,000 ducks

Last week’s outbreak took place about 50kms (30 miles) away at San Luis, Pampanga on the main Luzon island.

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Samples tested positive for H5 strain

Agriculture Minister Emmanuel Pinol said in a statement that specimens sent from the quail farms for laboratory tests proved positive for the H5 strain – the same strain that affected the poultry farms in San Luis.

Dip in consumer confidence

Movement restrictions have been imposed but there is evidence of a sharp dip in consumer confidence. Farm-gate prices have declined by 50% to levels below the cost of production.

An industry group – Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura (Sinag) is calling for the Department of Agriculture to lower chicken prices so consumers can at least benefit from what they describe as a “lose-lose” scenario.