CANDABA – The local government here on Wednesday said the Anti-Bird Flu Task Force has been reactivated to closely monitor the entry of migratory birds particularly those coming from Asian countries with reports of bird flu infection.
Leny Manalo, municipal administrator, claimed that the said task force will be closely monitoring the influx of migratory birds in the Candaba Wetlands to protect residents from any possible harm due to bird flu.
The bird flu or avian influenza is a contagious disease of birds ranging from a mild to severe form of illness. It has caused deaths in poultry and even in humans in other countries.
The Anti Bird Flu Task Force is chaired by Mayor Jerry Pelayo with representatives from municipal agriculture office, health office and local police.
Manalo said ducks can possibly acquire bird flu by simple contact with other infected birds, or even by grazing on the same areas infected birds have been.
“Ang pinaka resistant sa lahat ng species ay ang mga ducks at goose kasi pwede na carrier na sila ng virus pero wala tayong nakikitang symptoms,” he said.
They can consequently pass the virus on to other birds they interact with, as well as to their human caretakers. However, he clarified that they is no report yet on animal to human transmission of virus.
The Bird Flu Task force is set to conduct surveillance and screenings on ducks this bird migration season, from September until March.
Manalo, however, said that there has been no indication of bird flu landing in the town so far.
It can be noted that in 2005, Candaba Wetlands was placed under close monitoring by the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for being a possible breeding ground for a deadly strain of bird flu.
