ANGELES CITY – Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has called on all local government units to heed the call of the Department of Agriculture to be on alert and inspect all duck and poultry farms in their respective areas.
Pamintuan also urged the netizens to immediately report any case of possible infection of the avian flu virus.
“The Department of Agriculture is the expert in this issue. But the department needs our help in order to contain the spread of the avian flu virus. The local government units must be pro-active. We must assist the national government. It must be stressed that it is our responsibility to ensure that all owners of duck and poultry farms in their respective areas strictly follow the guidelines on the monitoring and reporting of any possible infection of avian influenza,” Pamintuan said.
“The confirmed death of 37,000 fowls in San Luis, Pampanga has been properly addressed by the national government. We must look at all angles to determine what brought in the virus including smuggled ducks or chicken from China among others,” Pamintuan said.
“I also call on all our Cabalens especially those who are exposed to live ducks and chicken to immediately report signs and symptoms of respiratory disease like coughs, colds, fever and flu. While the strain of the avian influenza virus may not have any effect on humans, it is much better to be safe. Going to the nearest hospital or clinic is the best thing to do,” Pamintuan added.
The mayor and the officials of San Luis with the assistance of the Provincial Government of Pampanga are helping the Quarantine Officers in cleaning up the affected areas. All the farms are expected to be cleared and disinfected.
The Department of Agriculture has announced that it will help affected farmers get back on their feet again with calamity assistance and low interest loans.#