November 23, 2010

Philippines prepare for avian flu signs

Starting this month, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) will focus surveillance on signs of bird flu in preparation for the period where migratory birds come into the country, said Dr Leriza Balopenos, DA Regional Animal Health Coordinator, Region 6.

Dr Balopenos said that migratory birds usually flock to local wet lands to escape cold weather from their host country. Both Balopenos and Dr Marie Jocelyn Te, Regional Emerging Infectious Disease Coordinator of DoH 6 said that Western Visayas remains bird flu-free, but reminded everyone "not to hold our guard down; we have to be prepared."

Meanwhile, National Epidemiology Center Head Dr Eric Tayag said the government's Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources are all taking steps to make sure the country remains bird flu-free.

He said this is aside from coordination efforts between the Department of Health and the Manila International Airport Authority in scanning passenger arrivals which might be carriers of the bird flu virus.