Nancy to DA, DOH: Ensure No Outbreak of Bird Flu from Poultry to People

Senator Nancy Binay called on the departments of agriculture and health to make sure that there will no outbreaks of bird flu in humans, following an upsurge of the disease in poultry farms in Pampanga.

“Kailangan pong siguruhin ng Departments of Agriculture at Health ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na yung mga nagtatrabaho sa mga manukan at iba pang poultry farms sa bansa,” Binay said.

Binay said that local government units and national agencies should be prepared to contain the spread of the disease.

“I am calling on these departments to take the lead in containing the spread of the disease among poultry and ensure that no persons would be affected. Tulungan din po nila ang mga local government units (LGUs), lalo na po yung mga apektado at yung mga nasa paligid nito upang masugpo ang bird flu,” she said.

Bird flu or avian influenza can infect poultry and other bird species but do not usually affect humans. However, according to the United States Centers of Disease Control (CDC), rare cases of human infection have been reported.

Signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans include conjunctivitis, influenza-like illness sometimes accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, severe respiratory illness neurologic changes, and the involvement of other organ systems according to the CDC.

Binay said that the DA and the DOH should start an information drive to educate poultry farmers and workers about biosecurity, early signs of the disease, its identification, the mode/s of transmission from birds to humans, and other relevant information.

The lady senator added that 24/7 monitoring of farms and communities, especially backyard farms, should be conducted as part of the containment of the disease.

“Nananawagan din po ako sa ating mga may-ari at trabahador ng mga manukan at iba pang poultry farms na i-report agad sa mga kinauukulan kung makita nila ang mga sintomas ng bird flu sa kanilang mga alaga,” Binay said.

She added that it is better to immediately cull the infected animals with the help and guidance of health and veterinary officials.

Binay also called on the departments of agriculture and trade and industry to monitor public markets and other non-traditional modes of distribution.

She likewise urged the DA and DTI to help the affected farms get back on their feet, as well as ensure that there are sufficient stock of poultry in the coming months.

“Tulungan din po nating makabangon muli ang mga apektadong farms sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng pondo o mga alternatibong pagkakakitaan. Malapit na po ang Pasko kung kaya’t inaasahan na lalaki ang demand para sa mga manok at iba pang poultry,” Binay said.

“Nananawagan din po ako sa DTI na i-monitor ang presyo ng manok at iba pang poultry upang masigurong hindi gagamitin ang sitwasyong ito ng mga mapagsamantala,” she added.

senate.gov.ph