THE capitol is not taking chances and it has tightened its defenses against the threat of the avian influenza virus that has hit Pampanga.
Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano yesterday ordered the Provincial Agriculture Office to go strict on the entry of chickens and frozen poultry products from Luzon.
Emano also directed PAO chief Benjamin Resma to step up operations in Lugait and Magsaysay towns where there are quarantine stations despite a reported ban on poultry products from Luzon.
Resma, meanwhile, called on the public, particularly poultry farmers to be cautious, and immediately report cases of sick chickens so the agriculture office could act on any problem immediately.
Resma said there has been no reported bird flu infections in Misamis Oriental “and hopefully, there will never be.”
Emano, meanwhile, said the bird flu outbreak in Pampanga could give Misamis Oriental’s poultry farms a boost because “wala pay nadungog nga virus infection sa atong mga poultry products.”
Luzon, he said, would likely turn to Mindanao and Visayas if it experiences a shortage in the poultry supply.
But he added: “Apan akong pahasubo didto sa Pampanga kay lagi naigo sila sa bird flu diin nag-produce sila sa 13,000 ka itlog sa itik matag adlaw, apan dili makagawas tungod sa infection.”
Emano said Misamis Oriental has 143 local poultry growers. He urged them to increase their production using a technology available and being used by the PAO.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial urged the public to take the necessary precautions against the deadly strain of the virus that has affected chickens, ducks and quails in Pampanga.
Ubial said people should avoid getting near wild birds or going to farms with fowls.
“If you have flu symptoms that last longer than three days or feel very weak, see a doctor or go to the nearest hospital to test if it’s bird flu,” she said.
Ubial said cross infection to humans has been minimal but can be fatal.
Ubial said a team of epidemiologists has been dispatched to assist the DA in looking into the outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), birds are the natural hosts of avian influenza viruses. It, however, said that humans could acquire the viruses through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments but noted that human infections do not result in transmission of viruses between people.
WHO said avian influenza infections in humans may cause diseases ranging from mild conjunctivitis to severe pneumonia and even death. (misor-pio and pna)
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