Photo via Wikimedia Commons Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Two weeks after the outbreak of bird flu in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, the Department of Health (DOH) has declared that there are no more suspected human cases of the disease in the country. This comes after the tests of the seven cases being monitored came back negative. According to a report in Manila Bulletin, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial shared the good news. She also noted that no more suspected cases have been reported so far. Surveillance Period To End On Sep. 3 Last Friday, the health department’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine cited that seven cases of humans suspected with AH5N6 virus infection were currently being monitored. This was the last set of suspected cases reported to the department. Earlier, 34 suspected cases tested negative of the virus. The health department however said that even if there are no new cases, their surveillance will continue until Sep. 3. According to the protocol, surveillance of additional infections will continue 10 days after all infected birds have been culled. Sec. Ubial continues to assure the public that government is able to contain the virus and prevent animal to human transmission. The lack of confirmed human cases so far also proves an earlier statement of the department that the rate of transmission is very low. Department Of Agriculture Says It Has Contained Bird Flu The agriculture department on the other hand is hopeful that there will no longer be any new infections. Culling of all affected poultry was finished on Aug. 24. According to a Philippine Star report, DA will continue inspecting poultry farms all over the country starting next month to prevent any further infection. To help poultry farmers who were affected by the outbreak, the department has allocated P52 million, P29 million of which will go to Pampanga farmers and poultry raisers. Loans will also be made available to affected farmers so that they can start anew. Facebook Comments
