RP on alert to prevent bird flu outbreak
The Philippines has gone on alert to prevent any outbreak of bird flu following a resurgence of the disease in Asia, the head of the National Epidemiology Center said, The Philippine Star reported Sunday.
"We don't want to be caught off-guard," said Eric Tayag who heads the center, tasked with countering the deadly avian influenza virus.
The center is monitoring the cases of bird flu throughout the region, he said. People in the Philippines with flu will also be tested to make sure they do not have the disease.
In addition, the health department has stockpiled large supplies of the drug Tamiflu, used to fight the deadly strain of bird flu, he said.
The Bureau of Quarantine has also conducted a "simulation exercise", where an infected animal was discovered in the country. Local government units have also been trained to recognize any cases in their areas, Tayag added.
The Philippines has gone on alert to prevent any outbreak of bird flu following a resurgence of the disease in Asia, the head of the National Epidemiology Center said, The Philippine Star reported Sunday.
"We don't want to be caught off-guard," said Eric Tayag who heads the center, tasked with countering the deadly avian influenza virus.
The center is monitoring the cases of bird flu throughout the region, he said. People in the Philippines with flu will also be tested to make sure they do not have the disease.
In addition, the health department has stockpiled large supplies of the drug Tamiflu, used to fight the deadly strain of bird flu, he said.
The Bureau of Quarantine has also conducted a "simulation exercise", where an infected animal was discovered in the country. Local government units have also been trained to recognize any cases in their areas, Tayag added.