While we have already contained the spread of the Avian Influenza which hit San Luis, Pampanga and the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, I feel there is a need to address accusations made by some individuals that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) acted hastily in declaring the outbreak and instituting strict quarantine measures which affected the livelihood of farmers.
The most prominent among those who said that the Agriculture Department was careless in declaring that it was a case of Bird Flu was former Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Jerry Pelayo.
Using his media connections, Pelayo went to town saying that what hit San Luis could not have been Bird Flu and taking the Agriculture Department to task for what he said was a careless move.
Even after four laboratory tests confirmed the AI outbreak in San Luis, he continued questioning the decision of the Bio-Security experts to institute strict quarantine measures saying these affected the duck raisers of Pampanga.
Personally, I was offended by the accusations because these had the implications that I am an irresponsible leader who makes decisions without the benefit of the wisdom of experts.
It was tantamount to calling the Secretary of Agriculture, who is also the Chief Quarantine Officer of the country, a charlatan.
I do not want to embarrass people but I believe there is a need to set things straight and clarify issues.
Yesterday, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Avian Influenza Task Force confirmed that it has received the confirmation from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory AAHL) which is accredited by world health bodies saying that what hit San Luis was indeed Avian Influenza Type A H5.
Dr. Arlene Vytiaco, head of the AI Task Force said it will take another three days before the N strain could be identified.
The moral lesson here is that if you are not sure of what you are saying, do not question those who have studied and trained to handle the problem.
I am not referring to myself but to the Bio-Security experts who were trained for this and whose recommendations I considered before I made my moves.
Had I listened to kibitzers, God knows how far the Bird Flu virus could have spread.
With the advice of Bio-Security experts, we were able to implement immediate and tough quarantine measures and in just two weeks succeeded in containing the spread of the virus.
Now, we will focus on how to bring the poultry industry back on its feet.
Together and united in our efforts, we will prevail.
(Photos show the lab results from Australia confirming the Bird Flu virus in San Luis.)
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