SOME vendors and sellers have observed that consumers are hesitant to buy poultry products following the first confirmed case of Avian Influenza H5N1 (bird flu) in Davao Region.
On Monday, April 4, the Municipal Government of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur confirmed its first detected case of bird flu in Barangay San Isidro.
Jocelyn Alberca, a market vendor in Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City, felt the impact of the bird flu scare among her consumers.
Alberca, who has been a chicken meat vendor for the past 25 years, said she is concerned about the public’s hesitancy. She said she is even worried when the time comes that the avian disease spreads throughout the city.
“Ang epekto walay halin ug ang kostumer mahadlok na kay mo ingon sila naay sakit ang manok, basig mamatay daw sila ug apil,” she said.
(The effect is that we will lose income, and consumers will be worried that if the chickens get the flu, they will get sick as well.)
She added that the bird flu case in the region had affected the gains they felt since the city shifted to Alert Level 1, which attracted more consumers to her stall.
Emily Onde, another chicken meat vendor, said she also felt the rapid shift in the number of people who eat chicken meat on a regular basis. As a result, she noticed fewer patrons compared to previous days.
“Mingaw kaayo perti gyud ka dako ang mawala, walay kostumer. Samot walay halin,” Onde said.
(Our sales have been slow because there were fewer customers, resulting in lesser profits.)
Regardless of the possible threat of the bird flu, both vendors will continue to sell chicken meat since it has been their source of livelihood for a long time.
On the other hand, the impact of the bird flu scare has also been felt by some consumers, who are worried of the possible increase in the prices of poultry and its byproducts.
Elmer Cabongbong, a consumer, said it would be a burden on their part if there would be a short supply of chicken and other poultry products as this would result in price increase and limited supply.
He said the current prices are already high due to the recent oil price hike due the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Taas kaayo ang presyo. Dapat babaan pud nila kay luoy kay mi nga mga mamalitay, para maka less pud gamay,” Cabongbong said.
(The price is too high. They should lower it so that we can afford it.)
Despite the possible health threat, he said he will still continue to buy chicken meat.
Kaaorden Datumanong said she is more worried of the health risks of bird flu.
Datumanong said her family usually consumes chicken meat, and that the recent news of a confirmed bird flu case has worried her.
Department of Agriculture (DA-Davao) Avian Flu focal person Armie Capuyan told SunStar Davao in a recent report that the recently detected duck (itik) that tested positive from bird flu came from President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, an area which was declared to have an outbreak of the disease.
Capuyan, however, assured the consumers that they were able to contain the situation by ordering the immediate depopulation of the flock of ducks in the area.
The official, meanwhile, reminded poultry raisers to immediately report to them of any of their poultries manifesting signs and symptoms for immediate testing, and decontamination.
“Kailangan natin mag-implement ng (We need to implement) biosecurity measures,” she said.
She also reminded consumers to only purchase it from registered and licensed meat sellers and distributors. (Aiven Egnio and Kannedale P. Diaz/DNSC Interns)