That is, when the protocols prescribed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) have been made, said Gov. Czarina Umali.
“When that time comes, the checkpoints will be lifted and quarantine will no longer be imposed,” Umali said in statement released Monday afternoon.
This, as the Philippine Army committed 100 additional soldiers to help in the culling of hundreds of thousands of birds within the one-kilometer restriction zone from the ground zero, a backyard quail farm in Barangay Imbunia in Jaen town and a layer poultry farm in Barangay San Roque here.
These troopers are among those military men who undertook the depopulation of birds in San Luis, Pampanga, it was learned.
Umali explained that under the protocols, all poultry farms within the 1-km radius of the known affected sites shall have to be contained first by depopulating all feathered animals as quarantine is in effect within the 7-km radius.
Culled birds were treated with lime before being buried beneath a two-meter pit.
“The next stage will be disinfecting the poultry houses. Soaping and spraying of disinfectant will be done from roof to foundation for a specified number of days,” governor explained.
After disinfecting, sentinel chickens will be placed inside. “If the chickens die, the same procedures will be repeated. If they survive, they will be sacrificed for laboratory tests where their blood and internal organs will be thoroughly examined. When it is officially declared safe, the poultry houses can be repopulated,” she added.
