Law, task force to deal with bird flu requested

Mandaue City veterinarian Daisy Penetrante has urged the city council to enact an ordinance for the purpose of preventing and controlling the possible outbreak of Avian influenza or bird flu as well as the creation of an Avian Influenza Task Force.

Penetrante in her letter-request addressed to the city council is also asking for the creation of the task force, in view of the threat of this zoonotic disease that has continued to threaten Asian countries. So far, no bird flu case has yet been reported in the country.

During the city council's regular session yesterday, the members opted to defer this request to the committee on health for further study.

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Infected birds spread influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces.

Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces such as dirt or cages, or materials such as water or feed that has been contaminated with the virus.

According to the World Health Organization, during an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.

Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress, and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection.

Since January, 2004, the WHO has reported human cases of avian influenza in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Egypt.

On February 2, 2005, the first of four human cases of bird flu infection in Cambodia were reported, then followed by the said countries. Last April 3, the first confirmed human infections with avian influenza were reported in Egypt. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan