STA. FE, Nueva Vizcaya (26 August) -- Provincial and municipal officials in the province have raised concern over the possible entry of the dreaded Avian Influenza or bird flu disease in Nueva Vizcaya because of the seasonal practice of bird trapping along the mountains of barangay Consuelo here.

During the recent seminar-workshop on Bird Flu Prevention, Dr. Diomedes Anuma, in-charge of the information, education and communication of the provincial veterinary office said that while the number of bird trappers or "Mag-aakik" in this town have gone down, the practice has reached the towns of Kayapa and Dupax del Sur.

"There is a need to create provincial, municipal and barangay task forces which will serve as front liners in their own areas once the disease enters the province," Anuma stressed.

He also added that there is a need to formulate a Barangay Preparedness and Response Plan so that the roles and responsibilities of member agencies will be delineated and pointed out.

Anuma said these actions should also be done in the towns of Solano, Bayombong, Bagabag, Kayapa and Dupax del Sur since they serve as bird sanctuaries that can cause the entry of bird flu in the province.

For his part, mayor Florante Gerdan however said that a barangay ordinance is being worked out covering the councils and villages of Imugan, Canabuan, Malico, Tactac and Bantinan.

The practice of bird trapping in the province is seriously being prohibited not only because of its threat to bird conservation and protection laws but more so with the entry of Avian Influenza virus or bird flu in the list of present diseases that comes from direct contact with birds as carriers.

"Akik" is the practice of trapping of birds with the use of nets. From September to March, bird trappers carry along with them their nets and huge lights which they use to attract the birds at night and trapping them with their nets.