MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products from South Dakota in the United States following an additional outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu.

The temporary importation ban includes domestic and wild birds, including eggs, semen for artificial insemination, day-old chicks, and other poultry products, DA said in a statement.

Heat-treated products are exempted from the import ban.

US records its first human death from bird flu 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in the release that the temporary ban is intended to prevent the entry of the bird flu virus "to protect the health of the local poultry industry." 

The agency noted that the local poultry industry is a multi-billion-peso business that spurs large investments, creates jobs, and helps ensure food security.

Laurel noted US veterinary authorities confirmed on December 17 reports of several outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in South Dakota affecting domestic birds. He added that the presence of the bird flu virus was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.  

Laurel issued Memorandum Order No. 04 on Wednesday, directing the Bureau of Animal Industry "to suspend the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the importation of domestic and wild birds from South Dakota."

The order also mandates all veterinary quarantine officers and inspectors nationwide to confiscate commodities imported from South Dakota except those that were already in transit or arrived at local ports after the issuance of the order. 

Poultry products must have been slaughtered on or before November 13, according to the memorandum.

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