The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines has issued a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, along with their by-products, from the US states of Maryland and Missouri. This decision comes in response to the escalating spread of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The ban, effective immediately, covers a range of poultry products including meat, eggs, day-old chicks, and semen from these regions. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the necessity of these trade restrictions to safeguard the country from the virus, which has seen a rapid increase in cases since its initial detection in the US. The US has reportedly culled around 145 million chickens due to HPAI. In Maryland and Missouri alone, over 13.2 million birds have been affected, with 89 flocks testing positive for the flu following an outbreak reported on January 23. The first case in Maryland was identified on January 14. Under Memorandum Order No. 7, the broader restrictions are aimed at protecting the local poultry population. Additionally, the order halts the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for poultry products from these states. However, shipments already in transit or accepted at the port before the outbreak will be permitted entry if they were produced at least 14 days prior to the first reported case. Previously, the DA had imposed similar import bans in South Dakota, USA, and regions in New Zealand due to outbreaks of different avian influenza strains. As of February 7, the Philippines remains free of highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry.
Philippines Halts Bird Imports from Maryland and Missouri Amid Avian Flu Outbreak
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