91 Newcastle disease cases confirmed in Benguet towns

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian reported newly confirmed cases of Newcastle Disease in the province.

Of the samples sent for confirmation, a total of 91 cases were reported to be positive of Newcastle Disease. Based on OPVET records, the cases came from almost all of the towns except Atok and Buguias.

The Newcastle Disease virus shows symptoms of respiratory distress, rasping and twisting of the neck or stargazing affecting poultry and birds.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Miriam Tiongan urged those who have animals observed to have unusual sickness to report immediately to their office for assessment.

Those suspected to have contracted the disease could still be contained with the administration of vaccines; further delay would lead to death, Tiongan said.

Since the start of the vaccination in January this year after the outbreak of the viral disease, OPVET has vaccinated to date a total of 145,434 chickens.

The disease was contained in areas earlier found to have cases of infection due to the intensified vaccination in location-specific areas, Tiongan said. The new cases reported were from other barangays, she added.   

Recently affected barangays are  Sinacbat, Ampusongan and Poblacion in Bakun - 15 fowls; Karao, Poblacion and Daclan in Bokod - 17 fowls; Poblacion, Virac, Ampucao, and Ucab in Itogon – 8; Pacso and Duacan in Kabayan – 7; Paykek, Labueg, Datakan, Taba-ao, and Pudong in Kapangan – 11; Sagpat, Kibungan - 1; Beckel, Wangal, Poblacion, Balili, Pico, and Bahong here – 17; Colalo and Cabiten in Mankayan - 2; Poblacion and Pappa in Sablan - 5; Tadiangan, Nangalisan and Camp 3 in Tuba - 7; and Central in Tublay -1.    

The OPVET is continuously collecting blood sample specimen for further laboratory test at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Reference Laboratory based in Manila thru the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit-Cordillera (DA-RFU-CAR)

Aside from poultry and other fowls, chicken dung which is commonly transported from the lowland areas as farm inputs may also be carrier of the disease, said Tiongan. Unless these are regulated along major entry points, the risk may be reduced, she stressed.

Tiongan is hopeful that the next set of provincial officials will be able to pass the quarantine ordinance to reinforce what the DA- RFU-CAR has started in regulating the entry of fowls and other related commodities.

It can be recalled the provincial board crafted an Animal Quarantine Ordinance which likewise regulates entry of poultry and chicken dung but was temporarily shelved with the May elections.