Bird flu outbreak confirmed in northern Philippines

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Philippine officials declared a state of calamity after a bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in the northern Pampanga province on Friday, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Six farms in San Carlos and Santa Rita in San Luis, Pampanga, were affected by the outbreak, Secretary of Agriculture Emmanuel Pinol said.

Farmers in the affected areas receive funds when a state of calamity is declared.

Approximately 37,000 out of 200,000 poultry have died of bird flu in the province, Pinol said.

Poultry will be culled within the 1-kilometer radius of San Luis, while a 7-kilometer (4-mile) area was cordoned off to prevent spreading the flu, Pinol added.

Quarantine teams equipped with sprays are stationed at exit points to disinfect all vehicles leaving the villages.

Pinol urged authorities in other provinces to implement quarantine measures to help the spread of the flu.

He also asked the public to remain calm because the government is "not unprepared for this crisis".

No animal-to-human transmission has been reported to date.