BAI, farmers on guard amid human bird flu transmission report

February 24 ------ Several poultry farms in the country are starting to implement safety protocols after Russia detected the first human transmission of the H5N8 strain of the bird flu. According to JP Soriano’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” seven poultry farm workers in southern Russia were infected by the strain in December 2020. The Philippines has been declared bird-flu free last month, referring to the H5N6 strain.

The Bureau of Animal Industry said efforts are being made to bar the entry of the H5N8 strain. “Patuloy po ‘yong pagbabantay natin at lalo na po ngayon na mayroong kaso sa humans na, the more po tayo na maghihigpit,” BAI officer-in-charge Dr. Reildrin Morales said. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health are currently monitoring the situation in Russia and other countries such as Africa, China, Europe and the Middle East which have cases of the H5N8 strain.

The H5N8 strain may lead to the death of birds. In humans, the strain may cause the flu. Earlier, bird watching was temporarily banned in Candaba, Pampanga as part of efforts to prevent the possible infection of humans with bird flu. The local government also advised people involved in breeding ducks to report any unusual symptoms or signs in the animals.

Source: gmanetwork.com