Philippines still at risk from bird flu

CEBU - The Philippines might be free of the avian influenza commonly known as bird flu but experts say this fact should not be taken for granted because the country’s geographical structure and location suggest it is vulnerable to the disease.

David Hadrill, a British veterinarian and expert on the avian influenza, said the Philippines’ extremely long coastline provides an extra open destination to a number of migrating birds.

And while the outbreak of the bird flu might have gone down in a global scale, the risk of infection still exists, as manifested by the outbreaks in the different parts of the world.

The bird flu is a serious viral disease causing high mortality in poultry and major problems in production and trade. The disease is caused by a range of influenza Type A viruses including high and low pathogenic strains.

In Asia, H5N1 HPAI viruses are currently the most significant. The viruses first emerged in China in 1996 then in other 60 countries since 2003.

The Avian Influenza Protection Program by the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture identified three potential sources of AI, including migratory birds and the smuggling of poultry and humans affected with AI.

Dr. Samuel Aimas, BAI-DA coordinator said efforts are being done to prevent any infection. The AIPP is also strictly implementing the migration of birds into the country.

DA is also closely monitoring the possible entry points in the smuggling of poultry in General Santos and Palawan.

Yesterday, the European Commission through the Directorate General for Health and Consumers organized a training workshop in Cebu on the prevention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

The training workshop aimed to assist veterinary services in the Philippines to effectively prepare the possible outbreak of AI here.

The commission has allotted P250 million for interventions in third world countries. — Jessica Ann Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)