The Provincial Avian Influenza Task Force (PAITF) has started drafting its plan of action with the start of the 2006-2007 migration season. In an orientation-workshop spearheaded by Dr. Loida Chee, provincial veterinarian, representatives of the different PAITF member offices and non-government organizations including utility companies were briefed on their roles and responsibility as provided under Executive Order 010-2006 creating the provincial avian influenza task force (PAITF) which was signed by governor Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August. The taskforce, divided into different committees, is tasked to undertake surveillance work; rapid action on reported suspect cases; census on poultry population and related data; information and education campaign; and clinical management and resource mobilization as part of the bird flu provincial preparedness plan. Chee said Ilocos Norte remains at risk to avian influenza because of its proximity to China and other countries where avian influenza (AI) occurred. Neighboring Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are listed in the top three, out of 10 countries, with human deaths, she reported. The Philippines is also located within the East Asian/Australasian Migratory Flyway or the migratory route of wild birds coming from temperate countries, she added. Recent World Health Organization (WHO) data puts the total number of poultry killed due to the H5N1 virus at more than 200 million heads and 151 deaths in human. “As early as last year, the provincial government, passed and approved the ordinance on AI prevention and preparedness program of Ilocos Norte,” Chee said. Provincial ordinance 026-2005 reiterates the prohibitions on the capture, sale, smuggling and consumption of exotic species of wildlife as provided under the Wildlife Act and outlines the contingency plan should there be suspected AI cases in the province. This is further supported by the creation of a PAITF under EO 010-2006, she said. “Initially, we have started a series of information and education campaign in all 22 municipalities and the capital city of Laoag and we have conducted program planning and workshop among health and agriculture workers,” Chee reported. Another round of public awareness campaign intended for farm workers and poultry raisers is slated from November to December. Chee said that their office together with the provincial health office (PHO) will continue with its surveillance and sample collection. She acknowledged the need to intensify collection efforts though previous test results yielded negative of the virus. “The province has yet to identify the threat sources including the migratory bird habitats, exotic bird smuggling and human cases,” she noted. Relative to this, Chee has called on the Coast Guard to work closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office to look into smuggling activities of wildlife at the Currimao port and in coastal areas. The provincial veterinarian also underscored the responsibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in providing security and order in quarantine areas in the event of a suspected AI case. She similarly asked the provincial social welfare office to ensure their readiness to provide food and basic services should a community be put under quarantine. Meanwhile, Dr. Joy Ruedas, PHO representative, reported that Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMH&MC) is the only hospital accredited to handle AI cases but district hospitals will serve as referral centers. Chee appealed to electric and telecom companies to ensure that power and communication lines are always energized for ready use especially in cases of outbreak. In closing, Chee said that the country remains bird flu-free and enjoined the participants to help work on keeping it that way. Aleli Aggasid-Batara, (PIA Ilocos News)
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