April 4, 2006

Davao poultry workers in Philippines given multi-vitamins to fight bird flu

The regional government of Davao in the Southern Philippines, in coordination with a private company, started distributing multi-vitamins to poultry industry workers as part of its prevention measures against the bird flu virus.

Dr Jane Bacayo, Davao regional coordinator of Task Force Bird Flu said the United Laboratories has partnered with the Department of Agriculture in its bird flu prevention and control programme.

About PHP 40 million (US$800,000) worth of multi-vitamins has been distributed to areas of the country identified as hot spots where bird flu may occur. Region XI, where Davao is located, is one of them.

United Laboratories gave 18 boxes of the multi vitamins to be given out to the provinces and cities of the region for both farm owners and caretakers.

He said the government is especially concerned because the region has sanctuaries of migratory birds that could have traveled from other bird flu afflicted countries.

The government has also issued warnings to its citizens not to go near wild birds in the sanctuaries as they may contain the virus.