RP still bird flu-free, but threat remains

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The country remains free of the bird flu virus despite the presence of thousands of migratory birds in Pampanga’s Candaba Swamp and other sanctuaries elsewhere, authorities said.

So far, there have been no reports of migratory birds carrying the virus in the swamp, Dr. Laarni Cabantac, assistant coordinator of the National Avian Influenza Task Force, said during a two-day seminar workshop on "Stay Bird Flu Philippines" here.

"We don’t have avian influenza here but there is still a threat so we must be prepared anytime," she said.

Cabantac said adequate measures, including information dissemination and frequent inspection and monitoring of poultry farms, must be in place even if there are no bird flu cases reported yet.

"So far we still don’t have that avian influenza here (but) what we should do is know the disease and (its) effect (on) humans," she added.

The bird flu virus may be transmitted through direct contact with infected birds. To ensure that chicken is safe to eat, it must be boiled at 74 degrees Celsius so any virus would be killed.

As added protection, Cabantac said the government has banned meat imports from countries affected by bird flu such as China.

She said three Asian countries — Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines — remain bird flu-free.