AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
This is an example of how reporters can spread serious misinformation...
ANOTHER endeavor worthy of extolling is the effort of National Government agencies in public service delivery. Part of the rendition of these public services is the provision of protection from any dangers, mishaps, and disasters -- man-made or natural ones.
The Office of the Civil Defense regional office 3 under the tutelage of Regional Director Neri Amparo and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit III under Director Redentor T. Gatus, has conducted last week a Contingency Planning and Seminar Workshop on Avian Influenza.
I was lucky to be a participant with doctors, veterinarians, experts, agriculturists and other medical workers at the three-day activity, which was held at a hotel near the Clark Special Economic Zone Friendship Gate. It was well participated by technical representatives and focal persons of regional offices of different National Government agencies, civic and other non-governmental organizations.
I learned that avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, is an important health and safety issue that poses a threat to our country. With great luck, we have had zero number of cases or incidents in the past years. Nevertheless, a great threat is imminent and we can never discount the possibility of an outbreak. We need to prepare. The culprit is the bar-headed goose that travels in flight during their migration. We are lucky enough that these birds have a migratory path that does not traverse across our tropical country. Sure enough, any territory that these migratory birds pass has the great risk of a bird flu outbreak.
The towns of Candaba and Minalin are prone to migratory birds, not necessarily bird flu carriers. We should however be vigilant on any possibility. We need not be afraid but certainly need to be prepared. Said activity was so timely. The ?ber? months has started and in a few weeks time or less will be the start of the cold breeze from the Siberian Alps and other states in the northern part of the globe. In the province, ?Amyam? is an indication that the cold season has started. Birds from countries experiencing winter weathers and icy environs leave in great flocks and migrate to tropical countries which have comparatively warmer temperature.
Bird flu comes from the H5N1 virus. It can be transmitted easily through a simple sneeze by anyone who has been infected. What alarms me is the fact that no vaccine is available to counter the growth and transmission of the H5N1 yet.
The virus is quite intelligent considering that it is capable of ?re-assortment? or re-grouping. This hinders detection and immediate cure.
I shared views with the ever accommodating Dr. Romeo Manalili of DA-RFU III on the need for massive information campaign, public awareness, and other measures that may deter or prevent an outbreak. Let?s recall the SARS and Meninggo incidents where we lost some lives in the country. The topics discussed in the workshop were all eye-openers for all of us.
I asked myself how prepared are we in case of an incident? From difficulty in breathing to instantaneous death, gruesome is the scene. I recommend to my co-participants that they watch the movie ?Outbreak? and ?Ebola?.
The said seminar-workshop was a pilot activity of the OCD and DA. Agencies from the National Government have started the ball rolling. Perhaps it?s high time for our local government units to have their drives too. Tri-media can be tapped on the information drive to instill in people awareness of the dangers of the disease.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2007/09/13/oped/dp.limlingan.the.advocate.html
ANOTHER endeavor worthy of extolling is the effort of National Government agencies in public service delivery. Part of the rendition of these public services is the provision of protection from any dangers, mishaps, and disasters -- man-made or natural ones.
The Office of the Civil Defense regional office 3 under the tutelage of Regional Director Neri Amparo and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit III under Director Redentor T. Gatus, has conducted last week a Contingency Planning and Seminar Workshop on Avian Influenza.
I was lucky to be a participant with doctors, veterinarians, experts, agriculturists and other medical workers at the three-day activity, which was held at a hotel near the Clark Special Economic Zone Friendship Gate. It was well participated by technical representatives and focal persons of regional offices of different National Government agencies, civic and other non-governmental organizations.
I learned that avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, is an important health and safety issue that poses a threat to our country. With great luck, we have had zero number of cases or incidents in the past years. Nevertheless, a great threat is imminent and we can never discount the possibility of an outbreak. We need to prepare. The culprit is the bar-headed goose that travels in flight during their migration. We are lucky enough that these birds have a migratory path that does not traverse across our tropical country. Sure enough, any territory that these migratory birds pass has the great risk of a bird flu outbreak.
The towns of Candaba and Minalin are prone to migratory birds, not necessarily bird flu carriers. We should however be vigilant on any possibility. We need not be afraid but certainly need to be prepared. Said activity was so timely. The ?ber? months has started and in a few weeks time or less will be the start of the cold breeze from the Siberian Alps and other states in the northern part of the globe. In the province, ?Amyam? is an indication that the cold season has started. Birds from countries experiencing winter weathers and icy environs leave in great flocks and migrate to tropical countries which have comparatively warmer temperature.
Bird flu comes from the H5N1 virus. It can be transmitted easily through a simple sneeze by anyone who has been infected. What alarms me is the fact that no vaccine is available to counter the growth and transmission of the H5N1 yet.
The virus is quite intelligent considering that it is capable of ?re-assortment? or re-grouping. This hinders detection and immediate cure.
I shared views with the ever accommodating Dr. Romeo Manalili of DA-RFU III on the need for massive information campaign, public awareness, and other measures that may deter or prevent an outbreak. Let?s recall the SARS and Meninggo incidents where we lost some lives in the country. The topics discussed in the workshop were all eye-openers for all of us.
I asked myself how prepared are we in case of an incident? From difficulty in breathing to instantaneous death, gruesome is the scene. I recommend to my co-participants that they watch the movie ?Outbreak? and ?Ebola?.
The said seminar-workshop was a pilot activity of the OCD and DA. Agencies from the National Government have started the ball rolling. Perhaps it?s high time for our local government units to have their drives too. Tri-media can be tapped on the information drive to instill in people awareness of the dangers of the disease.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2007/09/13/oped/dp.limlingan.the.advocate.html
