By Veronica Corral
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday (April 1) said the chances of “bird-to-humans” and “human-to-human” transmission of the recently reported avian flu is very “rare.”
In a press briefing with Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan, Vergeire said there is no cause for worry for the public due to the low transmissibility of the flu to humans.
“Kahit na ganoon, inaabisuhan pa rin natin ang publiko, umiwas po muna tayo sa paglapit dito sa mga wild birds, sa mga ibong may sakit, o doon sa mga taong naging close contact ng mga ibon o mga fowls na may sakit,” she said.
She added that current minimum public health standards being observed amid the COVID-19 pandemic should continue to be practiced since the avian flu is also a respiratory infection.
“Ibig sabihin, ang ginagawa nating minimum public health standards katulad ng pagsusuot ng mask, paghuhugas lagi ng kamay, pag-iwas sa taong may sakit ay magiging epektibo rin ito kung saka-sakaling magkakaroon tayo ng infection ng avian flu dito sa ating bansa,” she the health official said.
Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture ordered tighter containment measures against bird flu, but assured the outbreak in select duck and quail farms in Luzon “remains under control.” – ag
