‘Avoid direct contact with infected fowls’
No poultry-to-human contamination reported, Department of Health officials assure.
The Department of Health (DOH) has cautioned against going near or handling fowls infected with the bird flu virus.
Anyone experiencing flu symptoms for more than three days should seek medical attention, officials said.
“If you get any fever, especially when you handled dressed chicken in San Luis, Pampanga or nearby, then you have to report to your hospital so they can make a confirmation,” said Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag.
He said there has been no reported case of poultry-to-human contamination as of yesterday and the Avian Influenza Type A Subtype H5 virus that has killed at least 37,000 chickens in Pampanga is “not yet highly pathogenic or deadly.”
But Tayag said preventive measures must be taken because humans may contract, albeit rarely, the virus if they have direct contact with the infected birds.
He said the best first line of defense is to observe proper hygiene, such as washing of hands.
The virus may cause mild conjunctivitis or swelling of the eyes, severe pneumonia and even death.
Interaction with humans infected with the flu, however, does not result in “efficient transmission” between people.
The World Health Organization ( WHO) also clarified that there is no evidence that avian flu can be acquired by eating eggs or poultry meat, as long as these are properly cooked.
“We understand the anxiety or fear of the public but please remember this: we don’t eat raw chicken and as long as we cook it, we are protected against any bacteria, viruses that may have contaminated it,” Tayag said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared a bird flu outbreak, the first in the country, in San Luis town in Pampanga, where at least 37,000 chickens from six poultry farms have reportedly died since May this year.
Tayag said it may take one to two weeks to investigate the outbreak and verify possible cases of infection among people who have been exposed to dead poultry, as well as the residents in the affected areas.
The DA has quarantined the area within a one-kilometer radius from the six affected farms. All fowls within this area, estimated to reach 500,000, will be slaughtered.
Government has also banned the transport of fowls from Pampanga, especially those from within a seven-kilometer-radius from the affected area.
Tayag assured the public that government is on top of the situation.
Seven other towns and a city are being monitored by government agencies to check if there are any fowls infected in the area, he added.
Please remember this: we don’t eat raw chicken and as long as we cook it, we are protected against any bacteria, viruses that may have contaminated it. ERIC TAYAG Department of Health Assistant Secretary