Prov’l gov’t battles fly infestation in poultry farms

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) to implement biosecurity measures to address the fly infestation in several poultry farms in the province.

“There have been reports of an unprecedented fly infestation which has created a public health nuisance for the communities therein and affected the ecotourism in the area,” Lacson said in Executive Order (EO) 21-41, series of 2021, dated Aug. 10, 2021.

According to the PVO, flies are known to be vectors for many diseases of both humans and livestock and are considered a sign of unsanitary conditions, adding that chickens may eat flies at any life stage and can become infected by ingesting the insects or by direct contact.

Fly population may also create a reservoir for disease on poultry farms, making disease treatment and elimination more difficult, it added.

Lacson did not mention the areas where fly infestation have been occurring but said that upon consultation with the PVO, there is a need to implement biosecurity measures to keep fly populations below economic injury levels or public health nuisance thresholds to protect the ecotourism industry and safeguard the health and safety of all Negrenses.

He added the PVO will implement an integrated pest management program to control and eradicate fly infestation in poultry farms.
There should be timely and strategic pesticide application to control the increase of fly population as well as monitoring of manure management, moisture control, and sanitation, the governor said.

Lacson also directed all poultry farm operators and owners to submit to the biosecurity measures for the issuance of their business permit to operate.* (Nanette Guadalquiver)