UNICEF, DA say hand hygiene key to bird flu-free RP

Though the country still remains free from avian influenza or bird flu, the United Nations International Children's Fund and the Department of Agriculture cannot allow for complacency.

Recently, the two agencies again emphasized that though the habit of handwashing is plain and simple, it can be "overlooked, so that a sanitation alert on handwashing is again hoisted to prevent the spread of viruses, including bird flu."

Nilo Yacat, UNICEF senior program monitoring assistant, said observing proper hygiene, specifically hand hygiene plays a vital role in the prevention of the spread of the virus.

Experts had announced that in Southeast Asia, only the Philippines has so far been spared from the killer virus. Although the risk is still there, authorities have linked and pooled resources to organize the National Avian Influenza Task Force.

Local counterparts have also been formed in the provincial, municipal and even at the barangay levels, this was learned.

Another emerging concern is that people tend to equate bird flu with chicken. Because of this misconception, the poultry industry suffered heavy losses. The Bureau of Animal Industry said it is safe to eat well-cooked chicken.

Other tips that if properly observed may lead to a bird flu-free Philippines include frequent handwashing, keeping chickens in pens or cages to prevent them from roaming freely, and by not touching dead birds or fowl.

Cebu is included as one of the top 20 critical areas in the country for possible bird flu outbreak because of the presence of migratory birds in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City; the South Road Properties in Cebu City, and also of the high supply of poultry in Bantayan Island being "egg basket of the Visayas."

Other parts of the country that are also considered priority areas are Isabela-Magat Dam, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Lake Mainit, Surigao del Sur; Panay Island-Roxas, Capiz; Bulan and Matnog in Sorsogon, General Santos City, Naujan, Mindoro Oriental; Cotabato-Liguasan Marsh, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Palawan near Quezon and Narra Towns, Candaba Swamp in Pampanga, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, Aparri in Cagayan, and Himamaylan in Negros Occidental. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV