City revisits avian flu contingency plan
After being conferred the award as the first city to develop an avian influenza contingency plan, Zamboanga braces for an updated preparedness plan amidst new challenges in the avian flu situation in the country and the world.
Personnel from the City Veterinarian Office under Dr. Mario Ariola and other city offices as well as other government agencies convened yesterday for a capacity building seminar/ workshop with the goal of strengthening the preparedness plan that is pro-active in the prevention of the occurrence of the said disease in the city.
The seminar workshop, held from August 6-7 at the Alavar Seafoods Restaurant in Tetuan, is being held under the auspices of the Avian Influenza Prevention and Control Executive Committee of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Communicable Diseases in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit-9, Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Office of Civil Defense.
In a message read for him by Assistant City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario during the opening program, Mayor Lobregat thanked the convenors for facilitating the activity and for “continuously demonstrating your commitment to address the threats of avian influenza both in fowls and in humans.”
Lobregat recalled that it was over a year ago when the agencies concerned first initiated the development of an avian influenza contingency plan—the time when the avian flu scare was affecting neighbouring countries.
The mayor said the development of a contingency plan for possible scenarios related to avian influenza proved encouraging for in a series of serological testing conducted on blood samples taken from backyard native chickens and even in the swallows or golondrinas that perch nightly at electrical wires downtown have yielded negative results.
“We are elated by the outcome. It has far reaching implications, in fact, we are proud to inform all present here this morning, that Zamboanga City has been cited as the country’s first city to develop a City Avian Influenza Contingency Plan by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit last July 27, 2009”, the mayor said in his message referring to the award conferred to him by the DA regional office last week.
According to Lobregat the meetings and consultations conducted by the agencies concerned generated massive awareness son the importance of preparedness and the role of cooperation in responding to the avian flu threat. “Zamboanga has remained free from the avian flu virus but we cannot afford to be complacent”.
The mayor added: “As you endeavour to prepare an updated preparedness plan, let me assure you our continuous support and cooperation for we know that it is for benefit of our own constituents”.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ariola said his office in coordination with other concerned agencies will continue to exert all efforts to ensure that the city is prepared to confront the threat on avian flu.
While the city remains free from the virus, Ariola said the city should remain vigilant and alert. He advised livestock raisers not to be complacent but to maintain clean and hygienic farms to sustain an “avian influenza-free Zamboanga City”. (Sheila Covarrubias)