DepEd-7 to hold info drive in schools on bird flu virus

The Department of Education in Cebu has announced that it would be conducting an information campaign in all public schools in the province about the dreaded bird flu H5N1 virus, to make the students aware of the threat and help the government avert its entry to the country.

DepEd-Cebu Provincial Schools' superintendent Recaredo Borgonia said a task force, composed of DepEd medical personnel, was already created to conduct the campaign in coordination with the Department of Health.

Borgonia said the drive would also include procurement of needed medicines, just in case. "We also have to share our responsibility as we want to protect the welfare of our students. We want ourselves to be always ready," he said, adding that the activities are only preparatory measures.

The Department of Agriculture earlier issued a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild Birds and their products, including poultry meat and eggs, originating from Romania and Turkey.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban said the order was based on the report, submitted by Romania and Turkey to the Office of International des Epizooties, on the outbreaks of avian influenza-type A subtype H5N1-in their places.

The outbreaks were reported in a farm at Ceamurlia-de-Jos, Tulcea County in the eastern part of Romania, and in a farm at Kiziksa, Manyas, Balikesir in the western part of Turkey.

Citing the need to prevent the entry of avian flu to the country, Panganiban ordered the setting up of emergency measures, such as the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary Certificate and import permit for poultry from these countries. - Jasmin R. Uy