Karantia Office Destroys 218 Philippine Ras Chickens Infected with Bird Flu

JAKARTA - The North Sulawesi Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Office (BKHIT), the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), has destroyed as many as 218 illegal Philippine chickens to break the chain of risk of bird flu.

"The destruction was carried out because smuggled chickens did not have health guarantees," said Head of BKHIT North Sulawesi, Agus Mugiyanto, in Manado, Friday.

In addition, he said, the Philippines also has the status of a high-risk bird flu outbreak area or 'Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza' (HPAI) since 2020 according to the World Organization for Animal Health/OIE, so that the illegal chicken imports are very vulnerable to transmitting the disease.

"According to the Circular of the Indonesian Agriculture Quarantine Agency, Indonesia is currently closing access to poultry from the Philippines, as a real protection of the local livestock industry and public health from the threat of bird flu," Agus explained.

The implementation of destruction applies strict biosecurity procedures and prioritizes the principle of animal welfare.

Hundreds of illegal chickens were slaughtered, burned to the end, then buried in a safe area, and given disinfectant.

"These layered steps are taken to ensure that there is no risk of disease spread. The results of the destruction will not pollute the surrounding environment," added Agus.

Meanwhile, Dankodaeral VIII Laksda TNI Dery Triesananto Suhendi, SE, M.Tr.Opsla said that this synergy in destruction is a form of mutual commitment in maintaining state sovereignty, from the perspective of biosecurity security in the North Sulawesi region.

"This is a form of professionalism and commitment in maintaining security, protecting resources and communities from animal disease risks, and preventing state losses due to illegal practices," he said.

The destruction action was also attended by the Dirpolairud of the North Sulawesi Police, Bitung Customs and Bitung KSOP.

This poultry was previously found without quarantine documents from its country of origin by TNI AL personnel during a patrol in Bitung waters on December 31, 244 heads.

Then 218 live chickens and some dead ones were handed over to the quarantine to be destroyed.