DOH: Transmission of bird flu to humans 'very rare,' but take precautions

The Department of Health (DOH) assured the public on Friday that there was little chance of avian flu spreading to people.

“Nagdeklara po ang Kagawaran ng Agrikultura ng avian flu outbreak kahapon. Ganoon pa man, hindi kinakailangang mag-alala ang publiko dahil ang chance po ng transmission ng avian flu sa mga tao ay mababa,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a Palace press briefing.

(The Department of Agriculture declared an avian flu outbreak yesterday. However, the public does not need to worry as the chances of avian flu transmission to humans are low.)

Citing the World Health Organization, Vergeire said transmission of the avian flu from birds to humans and humans to humans is "very rare."

She did, however, remind people to take precautions, such as avoiding contact with wild birds and adhering to minimum public health standards, such as wearing masks and washing their hands.

“Umiwas muna po tayo sa paglapit sa mga wild birds, sa mga ibong may sakit o doon po sa mga taong naging close contact ng mga ibon o mga fowl na mga may sakit,” she said.

(Avoid contact with wild birds, sick birds, or individuals who have had close contact with birds or fowl that got sick.)

The DA on Tuesday called for tougher containment measures against bird flu after the confirmation of the avian influenza outbreaks affecting ducks and quails in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, and Camarines Sur.

The agency has issued Memorandum Circular No. 5, which regulates the movement of ducks, quails, chickens, and other poultry commodities in affected areas, particularly those coming from within the one-kilometer quarantine area. — VBL, GMA News