DOH exec: Govt agencies coordinate vs bird flu 'threat'

Philippine government agencies have started coordinating their efforts to protect the public from the avian influenza (bird flu) virus — after Hong Kong officials confirmed this week its first infection in seven years. National Epidemiology Center head Eric Tayag said the Health, Agriculture and Environment departments are taking steps to make sure the country remains bird flu-free. "We are keeping tabs on developments together with the Agriculture and Environment Departments," Tayag said in an interview on dzBB on Friday. He said this is aside from the coordination between the Department of Health (DOH) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to scan arriving passengers carrying the bird flu virus. The virus, especially its sub type A(H5N1), presents greatest threat to humans, as it had caused severe human disease and even deaths, the World Health Organization said. [See: WHO bird flu fact sheet]

While Tayag maintained the country remains bird flu-free for now, he said the government has heightened its vigilance against the possible entry of carriers of the virus. Also, he admitted he is wary of the possibility the A(H5N1) type "combining" with the swine flu or the A(H1N1) virus to form a stronger strain. "Baka maghalo ang dalawang virus, baka maging mas mabagsik, baka yan magsama (We do not want the two viruses to combine into a more powerful virus)," he said. Tayag said bird flu is deadly, with figures since 1997 indicating that of some 500 cases worldwide, 307 had died — a fatality rate of 60 percent. According to the WHO bird flu fact sheet, the virus has crossed the species barrier [from birds to humans] at least in three occasions in recent years: in Hong Kong in 1997 (18 cases with six deaths); in Hong Kong in 2003 (two cases with one death) and in the current outbreaks that began in December 2003 and were first recognized in January 2004. Infected humans may experience acute respiratory stress syndrome in as little as 48 hours, Tayag said. Tayag noted the virus that causes bird flu will take eight to 10 days before manifesting, compared to the two to three days for the "regular" flu. "Di nakahahawa tao sa tao, ito ay sa bird to human (It does not spread from human to human, but from bird to human)," he said. Airports prepared MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado maintained they are ready to coordinate with the DOH in keeping the bird flu virus out. In an interview on dwIZ radio, Honrado said doctors from the Bureau of Quarantine had been manning thermal scanner machines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. "Nakita naman na handa tayo tugunan ang alert na ito at handa rin tayo kung anong dapat gawin (We are ready to meet this potential threat)," he said. For his part, Tayag said government hospitals with isolation facilities like San Lazaro, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Lung Center are being readied to handle possible cases. Bird watch Aside from incoming passengers, Tayag said they have been keeping watch over the entry of migratory birds to the country since October. He noted bird flu spreads among humans through close contact and exposure not with other infected humans but with infected poultry. "Migratory birds typically enter the Philippines from October to February," he said. Tayag advised the public to wash their hands and protect their noses and mouths to avoid being infected. He also advised the public to report infections to the Health Department soonest. "We must make it a habit to wash our hands and protect our mouths and throats. We must maintain proper hygiene," he said. Moreover, he said Agriculture officials will keep watch over poultry farms, especially those where poultry droppings are used as fertilizer. "Dapat maging maingat sa lahat ng bagay (We will have to be very careful)," he said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV