Monday, March 06, 2006
Dads push review of Baguio's vigilance v. bird flu
IS BAGUIO City prepared in case the dreaded avian influenza virus or bird flu strikes?
The City Council agreed to invite concerned agencies to assess the city's preparedness in the light of the disease's continued threat to the locality.
Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, who proposed a resolution for the purpose, stressed the need for preventive measures in the light of the virus' treacherous nature and pervasiveness in other Asian and European countries.
Balajadia said the country's current bird flu-free status should not be a reason for authorities to let down guards against the disease. "Considering the influx of migratory birds which are potential carriers of bid flu, there is a possibility that the dreaded disease might affect the constituents of the City of Baguio," he said.
He proposed to invite representatives of the Baguio Health Department (BHD), the Department of Health (DOH), the City Administrator's Office (CAO), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to shed light on the preparations being done to avert the entry and spread of the virus.
The councilor earlier advised residents to be more vigilant and wary in handling domestic fowls, poultry and migratory birds in face of the bird flu threat in the country.
Balajadia also sought the conduct of a massive information and education campaign (IEC) on the disease among the populace.
The regions of Europe and Asia have reported cases of avian flu. In the Asian region, cases were reported in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, China, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Philippine dailies reported that the countries identified at risk of avian flu are the Philippines, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives. (AR)
(March 6, 2006 issue)
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