Sharing its neighbors' fears of a bird-flu pandemic after the first probable case of human-to-human infection was reported in Thailand, the Philippine government on September 29 announced strict measures to cope with an outbreak in the country.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the Department of Health has started coordinating with related agencies and airport authorities to make sure the safety precautions used to prevent the entry of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) last year are taken for bird flu.

Bunye said the precautions, which consist of surveillance, referral and management of cases, helped keep the number of local SARS cases below 20 and got the country off the SARS-affected list within weeks.

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit assured the people there is no cause for panic.

"There's no bird flu here. If you don't raise chickens, then there's no need to worry," Dayrit told a press conference.

The Philippines has banned the importation of chickens from Thailand and Cambodia.

Right now, Dayrit said that the country has a fever-screening system at airports and upgraded hospital facilities.

The health department also has a new surveillance system that speeds up the monitoring of humans who could have been exposed to bird flu from other poultry and animals.

Part of the system is a bird-flu case registry, which will provide information on the circulating trends and strains, as well as data on the treatment and management of identified and confirmed cases.

Fourteen wetlands and two dams and their surrounding areas are included on the list of surveillance targets, believed to be sanctuaries for migratory birds. The list was given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

All birds are thought to be susceptible to the avian influenza, but domestic poultry, such as chickens or turkeys, are particularly at risk.

Dayrit said the symptoms of bird flu are similar to those of ordinary flu: fever, sore throat, cough and, in several of the fatal cases, severe respiratory distress leading to viral pneumonia.

Anti-viral drugs are used by doctors for treatment and prevention. These have proved effective against influenza, but they have limitations, Dayrit said.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) also uses thermal scanners, which became mandatory for passengers during the outbreak of SARS, to test body temperature.

The Bureau of Customs has tightened its watch on all importation of chicken meat and other poultry products.