Bulacan continues its monitoring to keep up a bird flu-free province

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan is seriously undertaking strict monitoring and massive information dissemination to ensure that Bulacan will be a safe and bird-flu free province.

While there is no reported case of Avian Influenza (AI) virus or bird flu in Bulacan at present, Dr. Emmanuel Francisco of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said that their office is conducting random blood sampling and testing to more or less 10 poultry farms in the province with the help of the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry and Department of Health to ensure that Bulacan will remain safe against the said virus.

Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has ordered to intensify the surveillance on AI virus among birds, chickens, waterfowls and other kinds of poultry which humans can easily acquire by inhalation of respiratory droplets or bird drippings and physical contact with those birds infected with the virus.

The governor added that the cooperation and support of poultry owners in terms of proper poultry raising and reporting to authorities if ever there are problems that need to be addressed like bird flu are very much encouraged.

“Hinihiling ko na ipagbigay alam kaagad sa Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang pagkakasakit o ‘di pangkaraniwang pagkamatay ng mga alagang manok, bibe o ibon dahil ang bird flu ay hindi lamang isang banta sa ekonomiya kundi pati sa kalusugan ng tao, “ the governor said.

He also said to stop patronizing illegal sellers of birds; not to let your chickens, birds and others as well as yourself to have contact with migratory birds; do not capture, touch, kill or eat these birds and always maintain good and proper hygiene as well as a clean environment.

Further, Dr. Francisco reminded everyone to consult a doctor once the following signs and symptoms appear: fever, severe cough, sore throat, muscle aches, malaise, and respiratory difficulties.