Bird flu can infect humans, DOH says, as Rama bans Luzon fowl

A DAY after Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia ordered a ban on the entry of live chickens, eggs and birds from Luzon, the Cebu City Government has followed suit and its order will take effect on Thursday, March 10, 2022.The move is intended to protect both the poultry industry and consumers as the Department of Health (DOH) warns that avian influenza, which had been detected in ducks and quails in Luzon, can be transmitted from fowl to humans.Governor Garcia issued Executive Order 9 on March 7 banning the importation of live poultry, wild birds, including day-old chicks, semen, fresh eggs, embryonated eggs, fertilizer and other poultry products from Luzon for 45 days due to the threat of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 or bird flu.EO 9 took effect on March 8.On Wednesday, Mayor Rama announced that starting Thursday, the City would also no longer accept chickens and other poultry products from Luzon.The mayor said cases of bird flu and African swine fever (ASF) should be taken seriously just as the Capitol has done.The Province also banned the entry of live pigs and its products into Cebu due to the threat of ASF that began in 2019. This will protect the P11 billion hog industry in the province, which remains ASF-free.Rama hopes the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu will also issue a similar order.“I support the governor and wish that it will all be the tri-cities at the same time. So that has become one Cebu island,” he said.Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, officer-in-charge of the City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, said her office will be monitoring to prevent the entry of dressed chicken, balut (duck embryo), duck eggs and other byproducts from Luzon.Over at the DOH in Central Visayas, chief pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche advised consumers to practice handling hygienically all poultry meat and other meat products and properly cook them.Loreche noted that avian flu affects birds or fowl which can shed the virus through their secretions like mucus, saliva, and feces.“Human beings can get infected if the virus gets into the eyes, nose, mouth or even inhaled in air,” she explained. (PAC / TPT, MKG)