MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily banned the importation of wild birds, poultry and poultry products from South Africa because of an outbreak of low pathogenic avian (LPAI) influenza there.
The ban issued on July 8, 2013 is meant to protect the health of the local poultry population and of consumers.
In a memorandum, Agriculture Secretaray Proceso Alcala said the outbreak was confirmed by the Office Internationale Epizooties (OIE).
Presence of LPA serotype H7N7 was seen in a commercial ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape Province.
The LPAI virus was confirmed through real-time polymerase chain reaction conducted by the Agricultural Research Council-Ondersteproof veterinary Institute National Laboratory.
Also covered by the ban are day-old chicks, eggs and semen from the Land of Lower Saxony.
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The government has suspended the processing and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance for such products.
All shipments of such commodities, with the exemption of heat treated products will shall be confiscated at major ports.
