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Saturday, August 26, 2006
Agriculture conducts bird flu preparedness workshop
By James Earl E. Ogatis
IN LINE with the preparation for the possible entry of Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu virus here in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DA RFU) 6 held a two-day workshop among its personnel which aims to impart basic information about the disease and proper action on how to response if there will be suspected and/or identified positive cases.
According to DA Regional Technical Director Sofronio A. Parohinog, the workshop will equipped frontline personnel with proper information and knowledge which will be needed in order to established defense for the dreaded disease.
He challenged the participants on “how are they committed to do the job” because dealing with this activity requires more time, efforts, responsibility, and commitment more than the 'oil spill' in Guimaras need.
“Bird Flu virus can spread easily and cannot be contained in an area because it can be transmitted through air, water and by other means,” he added.
Bird flu or avian influenza is a contagious disease of birds ranging from mild to severe form of illness. Some forms of bird flu infections can cause illness to humans.
Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, the Assistant Avian Influenza coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) 6 said that the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus can cause severe infection in humans through direct contact within two hours.
The signs and symptoms of bird flu in chicken are drastic decline in egg production, sneezing, cough, nasal discharge, fever, weakness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, swelling, excessive thirst, ruffled feathers, crown and wattle turn purple, severe depression, incoordination, prostration and reluctance to move.
The incubation period is the time when the virus enter the chicken up to the time signs are exhibited. This may range from a few hours to two two days.
In cases when humans are infected the following symptoms are observed: fever, body weakness or muscle pain, cough, sore throat, may have difficulty of breathing in severe cases and sore eyes. Human infections can only be possible if they are expose to infected birds, have traveled to infected countries, or have cared/contacted with infected patients.
Dr. Te stressed that bird flu can be transmitted to humans through inhalation or contamination with infected discharges or feces of sick chickens and treatment as of this time is the same as for other influenza viruses.
Dr. Lerisa Balopeños, the Regional Avian Influenza coordinator said that measures to prevent entry of bird flu virus include; ban on importation of live chickens and other poultry products as well as cage and pet wild birds from infected countries, daily monitoring of major entry points open to international routes and prevent entry of any bird species coming from affected countries and monitoring of areas where migratory birds congregate.
The general public are advise to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling live and/or dressed chicken, cook chicken thoroughly, do not sell live chickens and other birds in the market while there is a threat of bird flu, do not let chicken roam freely, do not place chicken, ducks and pigs together in one area, cage, or pen.
Do not catch, get near or keep in captivity wild birds, report to the nearest agricultural/veterinary office any unusual death or illness of chickens and other birds, and report to the nearest local health centers any cases of respiratory illness with history of exposure to sick or dead chickens and other birds.
(August 26, 2006 issue)
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