December 1, 2005

Philippines' Davao granted 1.2 million pesos against bird flu

Authorities in the Philippines' Davao region were granted 1.2 million pesos for improving public awareness and surveillance of bird flu.

Dr Jean Bacayo, chief of veterinary and quarantine services of Davao's agriculture department, said the government has stepped up monitoring and established a rapid action team and bird flu task forces at the regional and provincial level.

He added that the Department of Budget and Management was yet to approve 2.5 billion pesos to fund a comprehensive anti-bird flu programme.

Meanwhile, there was a need to step up measures against smuggling of exotic birds into the country, through closer coordination with local authorities, he said.

Bacayo said Davao authorities have also prohibited bird-watching activities as a precaution, to minimise the possibility of people coming into contact with infected birds.

Meanwhile, local authorities regularly monitored chicken blood samples that have yielded negative results for bird flu so far, Bacayo said.