DOH warns public not to harm migratory birds
"We remain to be bird flu-free, but it is important not to hold our guards down," said Dr. Jocelyn Te, Acting Regional Avian Inluenza Program Coordinator of the Department of Health, Region VI as she warned the public not to harm migratory birds.
"These migratory birds might come from other countries that are affected with bird flu so it is better to leave them alone," Dr. Te said in a PIA interview.
Dr. Te said that the DOH continues to link up with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources because detection of bird flu cases and preventing the virus from spreading to domestic fowl is "our concern".
The Acting Regional Influenza program Coordinator said that the DOH has a ready supply of drugs against the avian flu, but these are in stock at the DOH-Central Office and can only be released should there be a bird flu case.
The government continues to tighten security in seaports and airports in order to prevent the entry of bird flu in the country. The Agriculture Department is monitoring the migratory birds to prevent the local poultry from avian disease.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has temporarily banned imports of live birds along with poultry and its products from Japan following reports on the presence of the avian influenza in that country.
According to Agriculture Secretary Yap, the ban was necessary to protect human health and poultry industry in the Philippines.
(T.Villavert/PIA)