3 Articles:
August 31, 2011
DA on alert against bird flu-infected products
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) today assured that it is already implementing precautionary measures to prevent the entry of the deadly bird flu virus into the Philippines.
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a radio interview that he has ordered the deployment of personnel in points of entry in the country to prevent the transport of infected chicken and other poultry products that may be affected by the deadly H5N1 virus.
Alcala said that he has also alerted the National Meat Inspection Service and the Bureau of Animal Industry.
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http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=722404&publicationSubCategoryId=200
08/31/2011
DOH: New bird flu strain deadlier
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has warned the public of the threat of a new strain of bird flu virus, the H5N1.
Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, said there are now cases of the new strain in China and Vietnam.
H1N1 can be transmitted from one human to another, but H5N1 can be transmitted from an animal to human.
While there are no cases of death due to H1N1 last year, the new strain is another matter. The mutant H5N1 has a 60% mortality rate. This means 6 out of 10 patients die of the disease.
Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, said 8 persons in Cambodia who were infected with the bird flu virus have died.
Lee Suy stressed the Philippines is still free of any bird flu cases. The country has banned the importation of livestock that are coming from countries with bird flu cases.
He said, however, that the threat is still there since there is a possibility for the smuggled livestock to enter the country.
Tayag also said migratory birds usually come in October.
He also warned those who own a poultry to take extra precaution because of the animal to human transmission of the disease “Pwedeng mahawa yung mga pumapatay ng hayop, nag-aalaga ng hayop at nagtatanggal ng balahibo, dahil droplets ang virus na ito.”
Some of the symptoms of H5N1 are cough, colds and fever. In severe cases, the lungs are affected and if not treated early, it can lead to death.
The Philippine Inter-agency Committee on Zoonoses, which includes the DOH, The Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will meet on Friday to discuss the matter.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/31/11/doh-new-bird-flu-strain-deadlier
August 31, 2011
Malaysia brushes off bird flu warning
MALAYSIA has brushed off a warning by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about a resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus and a new mutant strain.
Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai was quoted in the New Straits Times today as saying that the country remained vigilant about the H5N1 virus but no new cases had been reported.
"The public should not worry. We will let them know about the latest developments on the virus," he was quoted as saying.
An aide confirmed his comments.
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http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/malaysia-brushes-off-bird-flu-warning/story-e6frf7jx-1226126532483
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