ZAMBOANGA CITY at least 8 hotspots for bird flu or avian influenza, a viral infection that can infect not only birds, but also humans and other animals, according to Mayor Beng Climaco.
Climaco has ordered the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) to immediately conduct surveillance in these hotspot areas in Manicahan, Saaz River, Zambowood, Santa Barbara, Mampang, Arena Blanco, Buenavista and Mangusu wetlands where huge flocks of birds are often seen.
She said the OCV has already collected blood samples from ducks and this was done in the Manicahan veterinary district. Surveillance activities are done twice a year in areas considered as hot spot for bird flu.
H5N1 is the most common form of bird flu. It is deadly to birds and can easily affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier. However, the virus is not known to spread via human-to-human contact, but some experts worry that H5N1 may pose a risk of becoming a pandemic threat to humans.
Although there are several types of bird flu, H5N1 was the first avian influenza virus to infect humans. The first infection occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. The outbreak was linked to handling infected poultry.
H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl, but it can spread easily to domestic poultry. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.
Consuming properly cooked poultry or eggs from infected birds does not transmit the bird flu, but eggs should never be served runny. Meat is considered safe if it has been cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF (73.9ºC).
H5N1 has the ability to survive for extended periods of time. Birds infected with H5N1 continue to release the virus in feces and saliva for as long as 10 days.
Touching contaminated surfaces can spread the infection, especially to poultry farmers; a traveller visiting affected areas or those who are exposed to infected birds; and someone who eats undercooked poultry or eggs, and even a healthcare worker caring for infected patients or a household member of an infected person.
A person with H5N1 infection may experience typical flu-like symptoms such as cough, diarrhea, respiratory difficulties, fever, headache, muscle aches, malaise, runny nose and sore throat – similar to the coronavirus disease or Covid-19. (Zamboanga Post)
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| A photo from the Office of the City Veterinarian shows two workers getting blood sample from a domestic duck. Zamboanga has at least 8 bird flu hotspots. |
Climaco has ordered the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCV) to immediately conduct surveillance in these hotspot areas in Manicahan, Saaz River, Zambowood, Santa Barbara, Mampang, Arena Blanco, Buenavista and Mangusu wetlands where huge flocks of birds are often seen.
She said the OCV has already collected blood samples from ducks and this was done in the Manicahan veterinary district. Surveillance activities are done twice a year in areas considered as hot spot for bird flu.
H5N1 is the most common form of bird flu. It is deadly to birds and can easily affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier. However, the virus is not known to spread via human-to-human contact, but some experts worry that H5N1 may pose a risk of becoming a pandemic threat to humans.
Although there are several types of bird flu, H5N1 was the first avian influenza virus to infect humans. The first infection occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. The outbreak was linked to handling infected poultry.
H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl, but it can spread easily to domestic poultry. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.
Consuming properly cooked poultry or eggs from infected birds does not transmit the bird flu, but eggs should never be served runny. Meat is considered safe if it has been cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF (73.9ºC).
H5N1 has the ability to survive for extended periods of time. Birds infected with H5N1 continue to release the virus in feces and saliva for as long as 10 days.
Touching contaminated surfaces can spread the infection, especially to poultry farmers; a traveller visiting affected areas or those who are exposed to infected birds; and someone who eats undercooked poultry or eggs, and even a healthcare worker caring for infected patients or a household member of an infected person.
A person with H5N1 infection may experience typical flu-like symptoms such as cough, diarrhea, respiratory difficulties, fever, headache, muscle aches, malaise, runny nose and sore throat – similar to the coronavirus disease or Covid-19. (Zamboanga Post)
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