Ducks are seen at a poultry farm in San Luis Pampanga on Tuesday. 

Ducks are seen at a poultry farm in San Luis Pampanga on Tuesday. An occacional death of one or two ducks per thousand is considered normal according to raisers in Pampanga.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture ordered a temporary ban on the importation of both domestic and wild birds from New Zealand, which reported an outbreak of avian influenza or &quot;bird flu&quot;.Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that tests conducted by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory on domestic birds from East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/exotic-pests-and-diseases-in-new-zealand/active-biosecurity-responses-to-pests-and-diseases/a-strain-of-bird-flu-h7n6-in-otago/">yielded positive test results for &quot;H7N6 strain.&quot;</a>The outbreak has been officially reported by New Zealand authorities to the World Organization for Animal Health. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/1/6/us-records-its-first-human-death-from-bird-flu-0710">US records its first human death from bird flu</a></div>Laurel said the ban also covers eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat from New Zealand. He said barring the entry of high pathogenic avian influenza into the Philippines is crucial to safeguard the health of the local poultry population. The poultry industry, including egg production, is a multi-billion-peso sector that supports significant investments, creates numerous jobs, and plays a vital role in ensuring the country’s food security. As part of the ban, Laurel ordered the immediate suspension of processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for these items from these areas from New Zealand. However, shipments already in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports before the official communication of the ban will be allowed entry, provided the products were slaughtered or produced before November 9, 2024. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/1/8/doh-rejects-lockdown-border-closure-over-hmpv-scare-1040">DOH rejects lockdown, border closure over HMPV scare</a></div>Quarantine authorities have been instructed to confiscate different poultry commodities cited in the DA order.

The Department of Agriculture ordered a temporary ban on the importation of both domestic and wild birds from New Zealand, which reported an outbreak of avian influenza or "bird flu."

The Department of Agriculture ordered a temporary ban on the importation of both domestic and wild birds from New Zealand, which reported an outbreak of avian influenza or "bird flu."

Importation of domestic, wild birds from NZ halted after 'bird flu' outbreak | ABS-CBN

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Importation of domestic, wild birds from NZ halted after 'bird flu' outbreak

Importation of domestic, wild birds from NZ halted after 'bird flu' outbreak

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2025 09:04 PM PHT

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