Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Alert raised on migratory bird 'invasion'
vhttp://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dum/2006/09/09/news/alert.raised.on.migratory.bird.invasion..html
vhttp://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dum/2006/09/09/news/alert.raised.on.migratory.bird.invasion..html
THE Provincial Veterinary Office alerted the public and private sectors on the expected arrival in Negros Oriental of hundreds of migratory birds fleeing the colder climate in several countries in the northern Asian hemisphere like Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Siberia with the start of the winter months in September.
Provincial Veterinarian Antonio Mutia issued the alert amid the continuing spread of the bird-flu that has already claimed 141 lives and infected 241 people in Azerbaijan, China, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam as of August 23, 2006.
Mutia, however, assured that there was no need to be alarmed because the province and the whole country, is free from the disease.
"But this does not mean that we should be complacent," he said, "Because Negros Oriental is a path of migratory birds from Asian countries with winter season."
Birds from colder climates in the northern hemisphere migrate to countries with warm climates from September to January to escape the cold and food scarcity.
Most migratory birds find their way to Negros Oriental because of its food-rich wetlands and mangrove forest.
Based on records, most migratory birds from northern Asian countries find food and refuge in the wetlands of Bayawan City, Tanjay City, and Bais City.
Migratory birds have also been monitored in patches of wetlands in Sta. Catalina, Basay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, and Ayungon.
From November 2005 to July 2006 following the bird-flu scare, the Provincial Veterinary Office collected 293 blood samples from poultry and ducks in the cities of Bais, Tanjay, and Bayawan because of their nearness to bird migration sites.
Mutia said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), following its laboratory and clinical analysis, declared the samples free from bird flu.
On the other hand, he said, the government and all sectors remain vigilant.
"Any abnormal sickness in the local duck population of poultry farms especially in local migratory bird paths should be reported to the authorities," the veterinary official said.
World health authorities said avian flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus found in birds. The time from infection to the start of the symptoms is usually between three to five days, although some cases could be up to seven days. The symptoms, too, could last for a week.
The symptoms are similar to other types of flu, including: fever, aching muscles, sore throats, runny nose, breathing problems, chest pains, and watery eyes.
Provincial Veterinarian Antonio Mutia issued the alert amid the continuing spread of the bird-flu that has already claimed 141 lives and infected 241 people in Azerbaijan, China, Cambodia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam as of August 23, 2006.
Mutia, however, assured that there was no need to be alarmed because the province and the whole country, is free from the disease.
"But this does not mean that we should be complacent," he said, "Because Negros Oriental is a path of migratory birds from Asian countries with winter season."
Birds from colder climates in the northern hemisphere migrate to countries with warm climates from September to January to escape the cold and food scarcity.
Most migratory birds find their way to Negros Oriental because of its food-rich wetlands and mangrove forest.
Based on records, most migratory birds from northern Asian countries find food and refuge in the wetlands of Bayawan City, Tanjay City, and Bais City.
Migratory birds have also been monitored in patches of wetlands in Sta. Catalina, Basay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, and Ayungon.
From November 2005 to July 2006 following the bird-flu scare, the Provincial Veterinary Office collected 293 blood samples from poultry and ducks in the cities of Bais, Tanjay, and Bayawan because of their nearness to bird migration sites.
Mutia said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), following its laboratory and clinical analysis, declared the samples free from bird flu.
On the other hand, he said, the government and all sectors remain vigilant.
"Any abnormal sickness in the local duck population of poultry farms especially in local migratory bird paths should be reported to the authorities," the veterinary official said.
World health authorities said avian flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus found in birds. The time from infection to the start of the symptoms is usually between three to five days, although some cases could be up to seven days. The symptoms, too, could last for a week.
The symptoms are similar to other types of flu, including: fever, aching muscles, sore throats, runny nose, breathing problems, chest pains, and watery eyes.
