Vigilance sought vs. bird flu virus

Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap appealed to the Bureau of Animal Industry and local government units in the coastal areas to keep a tight watch on the migratory birds until the end of the year to prevent the occurrence of the bird flu virus.

From October until December, birds from countries with very cold seasons or winter will migrate to warmer places.  Yap said all Filipinos should help in protecting the P150-billion poultry sector that employs over 150,000 workers against the Avian Influenza or bird flu.

So far, the Philippines is one of only three countries in Southeast Asia free of the disease.

Yap said the DA has intensified its ongoing information and education campaign in 25 critical areas prone to bird flu infection, international borders and coastlines and in areas with high concentrations of ducks.

He said duck farmers are urged not to graze their flocks near the 20 critical migration areas to avoid contact with migratory birds.

The DA has already put in place additional measures to keep the Philippines free of bird flu, including setting up special task forces and emergency response teams at the municipal levels to deal with possible AI outbreaks.

In Region VII, DA regional director Eduardo Lecciones said the construction of the bird flu diagnostic laboratory is now in its culminating stage.

Currently, a team of veterinarians are undertaking a nationwide educational campaign for poultry and livestock growers on the threat and perils of the bird flu virus.

In the event of a suspected outbreak, avian influenza task force has organized a Rapid Action Team that can be mobilized and deployed within 24 hours and to take the appropriate measures.

World Health Organization reported that as of July this year, 192 out of 318 people, found in the laboratory-confirmed cases to have been infected with the bird flu virus, have died since the H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus resurfaced in the region in 2003 and then spread quickly across the rest of the continent, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP