Avian Flu Virus: Unabated Smuggling Of Wild Birds Put RP At Risk

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 19 Dec) - The continued smuggling of wild birds in the country and the lack of public awareness about the dreaded Avian Flu virus are putting the Philippines at risk of contamination, a government environmental official warned.

Although, the country is still free from the Avian Flu or H5N1 virus, the Philippines remains vulnerable to the deadly strain unless the smuggling stops and a massive education campaign begins to raise public awareness about the danger pose by infected birds.

"Since the country is on the defense mode, we should also take necessary precautions on the unmonitored slip of illegal wild birds in the country. A proper knowledge of the disease and its symptoms is vital for the country to be free from the bird flu," said specialist Carlo Custodio, chief of the ecosystems management, of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Custodio said that Indonesia, Thailand and other Asian countries have been affected by the outbreak of Avian Flu because of migration of wild birds.

"The spread of the disease is still continues because of bird to human contacts. From shipping to handling, humans are vulnerable to the disease,” he said.

"Seaports, airports, terminals, and other congested places are more at risk as far as the virus is concerned than wetlands where migratory birds temporarily set their homes during the winter season.”

He also cited the lack of basic knowledge about the Avian Flu among government environment workers, particularly those in the provinces. "Even those agencies working in the forefront don't have enough understanding about the Avian Flu virus. If they don’t know anything about it, the risk is even greater for everybody,” Custodio said.

Dr. Miriam Vito, the regional avian influenza coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said there is low participation among local government units on how to combat the threats of the disease or human contamination.

"Some local government units in the country do not even have their own action plans to prevent the disease. This includes the creation of local task force against avian influenza." she said.

“There is no adequate concern among the Filipinos because they haven't yet realized the negative impact of the disease both economically and socially."

Vito revealed an increasing number of countries inflicted with the H5N1 virus in this year alone.

At least 20 European countries reported to have a "first out-break" cases of Avian Flu since early this year. In Africa, 8 more countries are also affected with the virus; 5 in the Middle East and three in Asia, she said. (Mindanao Examiner)