Philippines to cull 400,000 birds as it reports first avian flu outbreak

The avian flu outbreak was detected in a farm in a town in Pampanga province, north of the capital Manila.

By Samhati Bhattacharjya
August 11, 2017 17:35 +08

Malaysia reports highly contagious H5N1 bird flu — Chickens are seen in a contaminate farm while workers from the Animal Protection Ministry prepare to cull them to contain an outbreak of bird flu, at a farm in the village. Reuters

The Philippines Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol reported the first outbreak of bird flu in the country on Friday and said that 400,000 birds will be culled to contain the spread of the poultry disease.

Pinol said there has been no case of human transmission so far. According to reports, the avian flu outbreak was detected in a farm in a town in Pampanga province, north of the capital Manila.

"We will cull all 400,000 birds within the one-kilometer area. We don't want diseases to spread," Pinol told Reuters.

**This story is developing**