Zambo, 1st to develop avian flu plan nationwide
It’s another feather on the cap for Zamboanga City.
The city government under the leadership of Mayor Celso Lobregat has been cited as the country’s first city to develop a City Avian Influenza Contingency Plan, a program aimed to protect the city from avian flu, commonly known as bird flu which is caused by viruses adapted to birds.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Oscar Parawan conferred the plaque of appreciation to Mayor Celso Lobregat last Monday, July 27 during the flag raising ceremony of city government employees fronting City Hall.
The award was in recognition of Mayor Lobregat’s “invaluable support in the implementation of Avian Influenza Protection Program as the first city in the country to develop a City Avian Influenza Contingency Plan.
The city government, through the City Veterinarian Office under Dr. Mario Ariola, in cooperation with other concerned agencies developed a contingency plan to prevent and control the spread of the bird flu virus in the city as soon as the threat loomed in other parts of the country and the world.
On instructions of Mayor Lobregat, the contingency plan has been developed and executed that makes Zamboanga an avian flu free city. Zamboanga City is clinically ready and capable of detecting and controlling the dreaded Avian Influenza with the operation of the Regional Avian Influenza Diagnostic Laboratory, a project of the DA regional office.
Some 3 years ago, an Avian flu scare swept across Asia following an outbreak of the disease in some parts of the world. Records from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that millions of birds as of November 2007 had been infected with the virus and 206 humans have died in 12 countries. Of this number, Avian Flu claimed at least 200 people in Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Romania, China, Turkey and Russia. Epidemiologists were afraid that the next time such a virus mutates, it could pass from human to human. If this form of transmission occurs, another pandemic could occur. Thus disease-control centers around the world are making Avian Flu a top priority.
Lobregat thanked the DA for recognizing the efforts of the city, as he urged the City Veterinarian Office and other concerned agencies to continue strengthening the campaign against the disease.
He said the city has to remain vigilant against the virulent influenza strain that has killed millions of poultry in a growing number of countries throughout Asia that is easily transmissible and lethal to humans. (Sheila Covarrubias)