Bird flu - 300 and counting

[NewsWhore]

Listin Diario is reporting that 300 fighting cocks and chickens have been killed in Hato Mayor, following the detection of avian flu. Details of this latest development were announced by Ricardo Beriguete, sub director of the Regional Agricultural Ministry (SEA). Beriguete did not provide any explanation for how the bird flu got to Hato Mayor. Of the 300 birds killed, 240 belonged to well-known cock fighter Ramon Vilomar and the rest were the property of Odaris Velasquez. The owners didn't object, but asked the government to intervene and rid the country of the disease that is threatening the country's bird sector. Since the first bird flu case was announced in December 2007 in Higuey, accumulated losses for the Dominican poultry sector are estimated at RD$944 million. These losses are due to the decrease in production, a decrease in exports and the increase in the price of chicken feed. Listin Diario reports that the demand for chicken could decrease by 6% to 10% compared to 2007, which could mean losses of RD$1.5 billion to RD$2.5 billion. Products like corn (27%), soy (57%) and production costs (50%) have all experienced increases, leading to other problems for the poultry sector. As for exports of chicken and eggs, experts expect a 50% decrease in exports to Haiti. Adding to the expenses now incurred by the poultry sector are the vaccines that must be given to the chickens in order to prevent them from contracting bird flu.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)