WHEREAS, based on the report to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the National Department of Agriculture of South Africa confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in ostriches;

WHEREAS, based on the diagnostic tests conducted, it was identified that avian influenza virus subtype H5N2 caused the outbreak of HPAI;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports wild birds from South Africa;

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of the pathogenic virus causing avian flu to protect the health of the local poultry population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Officer-in-charge of the Department of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures:

1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs and semen from South Africa;

2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance/International Veterinary Certificate Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from South Africa by the Bureau of Animal Industry

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments into the country of suspected/affected products originating from South Africa by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 12 Aug. 2004


(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Officer-in-Charge