CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Notwithstanding the cases in the nearby towns of Sto.
Tomas and Minalin, the capital city remained free of avian influenza or bird flu.
Mayor Vilma Caluag said that while there were seven reported cases in the city
from May to June 2022, the birds were already culled and the farms depopulated
as of June 6.
“Humans exposed to these cases underwent physical examination and were given
first aid by the health emergency management staff of the city health office to
ensure their safety,” she said.
Caluag added that while there are currently no active cases in the city, the local
government is doing preventive measures including activating task force bird flu
to prevent the entry of the virus.
“Our city agriculture and veterinary office also undertakes surveillance and
monitoring activities in poultry farms within the city. Our team conducts blood
sampling and swab testing among suspected cases,” she said.
The mayor also assured that it is safe to consume chicken, duck, and quail meat
and their by-products with teams from the city government regularly monitoring
and inspecting plants and establishments selling poultry products.
The local chief executive called on Fernandinos’ help by immediately reporting to
the CAVO should they observe any signs of the disease among their birds, or
should they experience successive deaths of their poultry animals.
The city government also urged barangay officials to take the lead in the
campaign against bird flu, and to support the avian influenza protection program
of the provincial and national governments.
Bird flu is an influenza virus that affects different avian species. It can cause
severe respiratory illnesses to poultry animals like cough, colds, fever, and body
malaise that can result in their death.
People may get infected with bird flu, but animal to human transmission is
unlikely, especially if humans have no close contact with the affected case or
area.
