February 14, 2007

 

Philippines to keep an eye on migratory birds to avert bird flu

 

 

Philippine authorities are closely monitoring migratory birds in wetlands across the country for signs of the virus, reports the Manila Times daily.

 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urged the public to help government monitor by looking out for multiple deaths among both domestic poultry and migratory waterbirds.

 

DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said the country should be more vigilant due to the upsurge of bird flu cases worldwide.

 

The countries reporting new cases include Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Egypt, Nigeria, Hungary and Russia.

 

The newspaper reported that the DENR has instituted measures to minimize the probability of entry of the deadly virus particularly on areas where migratory birds usually congregate.

 

The death of a "very sick" heron which was earlier seen feeding at a wetland area near Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon province triggered the alarm of bird flu in the country.

 

The results of the tests on the bird have not been published.

 

Surveillance at airports and seaports was also stepped up to stop the smuggling of wild birds and poultry, Reyes said.

 

The agriculture department has, meanwhile, banned poultry imports from areas hit by avian influenza, most recently Japan.

 

Some 270 cases of humans being infected by the bird-flu virus had been reported worldwide since 2003 with 164 deaths as of last month.