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PHL steps up drive against bird flu


The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is stepping up the drive to keep the avian flu virus from entering the Philippines from Hong Kong. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said in a statement Sunday government authorities will ensure a tight watch on pet and caged birds entering through any of the country’s air and sea ports. "We will closely monitor the reported reemergence of bird flu in Hong Kong. We might enforce a ban [on] the importation of all exotic birds, especially those coming from countries with reported incidence of the avian flu, and strengthen laws on the illegal wildlife trade," said Paje. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, an agency under the DENR, will soon survey migratory bird sites with assistance from bird watching clubs. “We can coordinate with bird watching groups and livestock or poultry associations if there is a need," Paje said. According to reports, the alert level for the avian flu outbreak in Hong Kong has been raised to “serious" status, which means there is great risk of humans acquiring the virus and its potentially fatal disease. The Philippines is integral to the East Asian Flyway, with its wetlands serving as stopover sites for wild birds during the north-south migration season. “We urge everyone to exercise extreme caution in handling fowl [and] in cooking and eating poultry and poultry products, so that we can maintain the country’s clean slate with regard to human cases of the disease," Paje said. Although the Philippines remains free from bird flu until now, Paje said, “We have to strengthen our preparedness and reduce the opportunities for the virus to spread through increased information dissemination and improved warning systems." The greatest fear expressed by health authorities worldwide is for the disease to be transmitted to humans and mutate into a lethal form that could easily be transmitted among humans. — With Jesse Edep/VS, GMANews.TV

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