By Ninfa B Quirante

Ormoc City (16 October) -- Eastern Visayas media representatives from both government and non-government agency attended an Enhancement Seminar on Communicating Avian Flu at the Sabin resort Hotel, Ormoc City on October 12-13, 2007.

Sponsored by the Regional Avian Flu Task force, 37 media practitioners crafted messages and prepared a communication plan for implementation.

Dr. Leo Mira Veterinary Quarantine Officer from the Department of Agriculture (DA), lectured on the Philippine regional situation. Mira himself admitted that region 08 remains free from the dreaded flu.

Mr. Boyd Cerro from the Department of Health (DOH) shared that DOH is prepared and has stockpiled antibiotics and other medicines in preparation for the onslaught of the virus.

Mr. Arnulito Viojan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) talked about the movement of migratory birds that are suspected to carry the deadly virus. He added that this time of the year, birds are expected to leave the more temperate countries and that their migration to the Philippines could spell a migration of the bird flu virus.

As such, the public is informed never to touch the wild birds as they could be carriers of the bird flu/ avian flu.

DENR also gave a stern warning that smuggling and illegal trade of wildlife also increases the risk of bird flu.

Mr. Daniel Santos Staff Director for Indigenous and Special Media from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) central Office, guided the media in crafting simple messages ought to promote awareness as to the benefits of keeping the country bird flu free.

The speakers informed the media group that bird flu threatens the P 160 B poultry industry if precautions are not met.

PIA Director Olive Tiu and DA Assistant Regional Director Wilson Cerbito acted as facilitators in the the different workshops that ensued.

In the national scene, the immediate suspension of the issuance of veterinary quarantine clearances (VQCs) to all imports covering these products from Saskatchewan, Canada has been implemented.

Based on a report by the world animal health organization Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus or H7N3 virus was detected in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

DA has ordered the stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from Saskatchewan by all veterinary quarantine officers or inspectors at all major ports.

The DA has imposed a similar ban on all live bird and poultry imports from the states of Nebraska and Virginia in the US, Korea and the United Kingdom.