‘ Help contain bird flu’
MANILA – Poultry owners and anyone handling fowls were encouraged to help prevent the spread of avian flu, while the government was pressed to educate the public about the virus and its danger.
Pampanga province was placed under a state of calamity in the wake of the avian influenza outbreak in barangays San Carlos and Santa Rita in San Luis town.
“The information drive should include protocols to be followed to prevent the further spread of the virus,” Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.
“Since the virus is known to infect humans as well, people – especially those who handle fowls – should know how to protect themselves,” he added.
The Agriculture department should ensure t hat bird meats sold in markets are uncontaminated, said Pangilinan, a former presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization.
Bird flu in humans has the following symptoms, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: conjunctivitis, influenza-like illness sometimes accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, severe respiratory illness, neurologic changes, and involvement of other organ systems.
Meanwhile, Sen. Nancy Binay said local government units and national government agencies should “be prepared” to contain the spread of the virus.