How Boehringer Ingelheim Is Addressing the Threat of Avian Influenza

Avian influenza cases have been reported in 52 cities and municipalities this year, threatening the livelihood of farmers and the health of Filipinos.

Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim is taking much-needed steps to combat the threat of avian influenza. 

Also known as bird flu, avian influenza primarily spreads among poultry, waterfowls such as ducks and geese, and livestock, risking the exposure for poultry workers and farmers. It likewise poses a huge threat to the country’s poultry sector, which is valued at PHP 68.76 billion and provides livelihood to many Filipinos. 

“With the increasing threat of avian influenza, Boehringer Ingelheim underscores the urgent need for robust biosecurity measures,” said Raul Senedrin, Head of Business Segment – Poultry at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Philippines, Inc. 

“We must take immediate action to effectively control the spread of the disease and safeguard both the agricultural sector and public health,” Senedrin added. 

Roundtable Discussion on Avian Influenza

German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc. organized a roundtable discussion titled “The Urgency of Vaccines in Preventing Avian Influenza in the Philippines” in response to the growing concerns over avian influenza.”

The event brought together experts from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (DA). Among the topics discussed were the vital role of vaccination, the current state of AI prevention efforts, and the challenges of implementing sustainable disease control strategies.

“The poultry industry plays a vital role in ensuring stable food supply and supporting the economic sustainability of rural communities in the Philippines,” said GPCCI President Marie Antoinette Mariano. “Through this roundtable, GPCCI helped identify forward-looking solutions, and we remain committed to fostering continued collaboration to strengthen the sector’s resilience against avian influenza.” 

Previously, Boehringer Ingelheim donated avian influenza test kits in 2023 to trade and partner stakeholders in Luzon and Mindanao as part of the surveillance efforts to track the presence of the disease. 

German Embassy Declares Support 

The growing threat of avian influenza has highlighted the need for an urgent, coordinated response among stakeholders to safeguard communities. Stakeholders, including government agencies, health organizations, and the agricultural sector, should band together and prioritize vaccination and health monitoring in order to  mitigate risks, sustain livelihoods, and prevent potential pandemics.

In line with this, Germany has shown support not just for Boehringer Ingelheim, but also for the Philippines as the threat of avian influenza continues. 

“Germany is continuing to support the Philippines’ effort to fight Avian Influenza,” said Dr. David Klebs, Economic Counsellor of the Germany Embassy Manila. “Germany and the Philippines share a long history of exchange in the fields of public health, food security, international trade as well as the support of livelihoods in the Philippines.”

Dr. Klebs added, “German businesses like Boehringer may provide a suitable solution to Avian Influenza making available scientific-based solutions to the Philippines.”