Airport officials to confiscate meat products from Hong Kong

After another outbreak of avian influenza in Hong Kong, airport officials in the Philippines were ordered to confiscate all poultry and meat products that would arrive from that country. The Bureau of Animal Quarantine ordered the confiscation of all uncooked meat products — poultry, pork, or beef, said Dr. Ada Tolentino of the Veterinary Quarantine office at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Dr. Tolentino said her department is working closely with Bureau of Customs personnel in tracking down suspicious items brought in by passengers from countries with reported cases of the avian flu. The veterinary quarantine office is also keeping a tight watch on the possible importation of flu-affected fowl or other bird species that may arrive at cargo warehouses. Poultry products in Philippines safe from bird flu virus Meanwhile, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Dr. Dave Catbagan assured the public that poultry products in the Philippines are free from the bird flu virus. Catbagan explained that since 2005 the Philippines has not been importing poultry from countries with reported cases of avian flu, such as China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia. He explained that the country sources its poultry supply from countries free from avian flu such as France, the Netherlands, and Germany. “There is nothing to worry about," Catbagan said.“The BAI together with the Bureau of Quarantine have not let up its guard against the entry of infected animlas since 2005." Preventing bird flu carriers Meanwhile, the airport management said the country's bird flu-prevention systems have been in place for over five years now. Retired Gen. Jose Angel Honrado, airport general manager, said the airport management has several thermal scanners in both the arrival and departure areas of the three international terminals in Manila. These thermal scanners monitor the body temperature of passengers. Honrado explained that airport medical staff will bring to a confined area for diagnosis anyone with a body temperature of 37 degrees celcius or above. – VVP, GMANews.TV