Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p081013.htm&no=73
PIA Press Release
2008/10/13
RDCC-2 conducts contingency planning on bird flu
Claveria, Cagayan (13 October) -- The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) conducted a contingency planning workshop for Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies and Non-Government Organizations to come up with preparedness plan to prevent and control the occurrence of avian influenza or bird flu in the region.
PC/Supt. Roberto M. Damian, PNP-Regional Director and RDCC-Chair said the planning/workshop aims to strengthen the management structure for the prevention and control of avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases, enhance the capabilities of health and non-health workers and ensure the availability of health facilities, service manpower and supplies for the management of avian and pandemic influenza.
For his part, ARD Andrew Villacorta of DA, enumerated the elements of a preparedness plan to include the identification of hazardous and disaster areas that could be an entry point of the virus, mobilize effective actions and resources for emergency response during an outbreak, generate commitments among partner agencies to act in a coordinated manner before the emergency occurs and design a concrete and dynamic plan in times of emergency.
Dr. Edgar Peleo of DOH-CHD Cagayan also explained that avian influenza or 'Bird Flu' is a contagious disease caused by a virus that could infect birds, pigs including highly specific species that could also infect humans.
Avian influenza may spread in the region caused by migratory birds infected with the virus; contaminated equipment, vehicles, feeds, cages, clothing and others that can carry the virus from farm to farm; through wet markets and by trading or smuggling infected birds.
"The Philippines is a convergence zone of migratory birds from other countries specially Indonesia which has the most number of AI cases. It's adjacent to the Mindanao area, that's why Bird flu can easily enter the country," Dr. Peleo added.
Meantime, Dr. Gigi Flores from the Bureau of Animal Industry, said AI can create severe financial losses to the poultry, decrease consumption of chicken egg, loss of export market, loss of market for corn producers and other raw materials and threat to human health.
The workshop participated by representatives from LGUs within coastal zones, regional line agencies and NGOs created a Bird Flu Task Force that functions as Rapid Action Teams.
They will conduct immediate diagnosis on suspect premises, conduct regular surveillance and profiling of poultry diseases in priority areas, ensure implementation of prescribed minimum bio-security measures, conduct periodic identification of data on poultry population and ensure adequate awareness of the general public on AI matters and updates pertaining to avian influenza.
The composite team urges local legislators to pass an ordinance on Avian Influenza to impose strict movement control of poultry, livestock and other animal products most especially in the target areas that could be an entry point of the virus. (PIA Cagayan)
PIA Press Release
2008/10/13
RDCC-2 conducts contingency planning on bird flu
Claveria, Cagayan (13 October) -- The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) conducted a contingency planning workshop for Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies and Non-Government Organizations to come up with preparedness plan to prevent and control the occurrence of avian influenza or bird flu in the region.
PC/Supt. Roberto M. Damian, PNP-Regional Director and RDCC-Chair said the planning/workshop aims to strengthen the management structure for the prevention and control of avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases, enhance the capabilities of health and non-health workers and ensure the availability of health facilities, service manpower and supplies for the management of avian and pandemic influenza.
For his part, ARD Andrew Villacorta of DA, enumerated the elements of a preparedness plan to include the identification of hazardous and disaster areas that could be an entry point of the virus, mobilize effective actions and resources for emergency response during an outbreak, generate commitments among partner agencies to act in a coordinated manner before the emergency occurs and design a concrete and dynamic plan in times of emergency.
Dr. Edgar Peleo of DOH-CHD Cagayan also explained that avian influenza or 'Bird Flu' is a contagious disease caused by a virus that could infect birds, pigs including highly specific species that could also infect humans.
Avian influenza may spread in the region caused by migratory birds infected with the virus; contaminated equipment, vehicles, feeds, cages, clothing and others that can carry the virus from farm to farm; through wet markets and by trading or smuggling infected birds.
"The Philippines is a convergence zone of migratory birds from other countries specially Indonesia which has the most number of AI cases. It's adjacent to the Mindanao area, that's why Bird flu can easily enter the country," Dr. Peleo added.
Meantime, Dr. Gigi Flores from the Bureau of Animal Industry, said AI can create severe financial losses to the poultry, decrease consumption of chicken egg, loss of export market, loss of market for corn producers and other raw materials and threat to human health.
The workshop participated by representatives from LGUs within coastal zones, regional line agencies and NGOs created a Bird Flu Task Force that functions as Rapid Action Teams.
They will conduct immediate diagnosis on suspect premises, conduct regular surveillance and profiling of poultry diseases in priority areas, ensure implementation of prescribed minimum bio-security measures, conduct periodic identification of data on poultry population and ensure adequate awareness of the general public on AI matters and updates pertaining to avian influenza.
The composite team urges local legislators to pass an ordinance on Avian Influenza to impose strict movement control of poultry, livestock and other animal products most especially in the target areas that could be an entry point of the virus. (PIA Cagayan)