Friday, February 16, 2007 Environment intensifies bird flu campaign By Jane Cadalig
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently intensified its campaign against the possible spread of the avian influenza virus here.
DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes has urged the public anew to be vigilant on the signs of the avian flu or bird flu, particularly multiple deaths among domestic poultry and migratory birds, and to report these to the nearest DENR office.
The DENR went on full alert against bird flu amid the changing weather conditions in the country.
Regional offices of the DENR were earlier directed to be strict in monitoring the entry of imported birds, as well as wetland areas, where migratory birds usually flock.
Migratory birds are natural carriers of bird flu, which is caused by the H5N1 virus. These birds flock to the country to escape the cold weather in their host countries.
The Philippines is among the countries in Asia that remains bird flu-free. The two others are Brunei and Singapore.
Concerned government agencies like the DENR, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have intensified their information and dissemination campaign on bird flu and its prevention.
“The Philippines is still bird-flu free but the threat of the virus is ever present. There is an upsurge of bird flu cases in Asia, Europe and Africa and we heard reports of new cases in several countries. We do not want that to happen here,” a release from the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) of the DENR quoted Reyes as saying.
Since 2004, the DENR has banned the importation of all poultry and caged birds coming from countries where incidence of avian flu had been reported.
Reyes further directed the strict surveillance at all airports and seaports on the illegal movement and smuggling of wild birds and poultry.
He also sought the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies and wildlife enforcement offices in the monitoring and enforcement of wildlife laws, rules and regulations.
The Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Management Service office of the DENR-Cprdilleras has not yet receive reports of affected birds in the region, the RPAO statement said.
Some local government units (LGUs) in the region already instituted measures to prevent the possible acquisition of the dreaded disease.
The municipality of Sagada, Mountain Province, has banned the conduct of “ikik” a traditional way of catching migratory birds, which is rampant among residents here.
