Bird flu alert up
Western Visayas remains bird-flu free but the public should be always on alert, agriculture and health authorities said.
Dr. Leriza Balopenos, regional animal health coordinator of the Department of Agriculture 6, said starting this month, the DA will conduct a surveillance on the signs of bird flu in preparation for the period when migratory birds come to the country.
Migratory birds usually flock to our local wet lands to escape the cold weather from their host country, she said.
Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, regional emerging infectious disease coordinator of Department of Health 6, said the public should always be prepared in mitigating bird flu occurrence.
Meanwhile, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag said the Health, Agriculture and Environment departments are taking steps to make sure the country remains bird flu-free.
This is aside from the coordination between the DOH and the Manila International Airport Authority which requires scanning of arriving passengers to check if they are carrying the bird flu virus, he said.*PIA
