Philippines to cull 200,000 fowl after bird flu outbreak

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will cull at least 200,000 birds after confirming its first avian flu outbreak, but no animal-to-human transmission has been reported, officials said Friday.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said he ordered the culling of all fowl within a kilometre (0.6 mile) of six affected farms in northern Pampanga province’s San Luis town.

The area has been declared a quarantine zone with a 7-kilometre (4-mile) surveillance area also established around the farms.

Pinol said he was informed Thursday that 37,000 birds have died from avian influenza subtype H5, which can cause illness and deaths in both animals and humans. Experts believe the ducks to be the virus carrier, he added.