BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN SAN LUIS TOWN IN PAMPANGA,

                                                      BIRD FLU UNDER CONTROL

Seven days after the government declared an avian flu outbreak in Pampanga, the authorities announced on Friday a similar outbreak in at least two towns in neighboring Nueva Ecija.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said tests confirmed that the avian flu virus strain found in San Luis, Pampanga, has also been found in the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, about 32 kilometers away.

Despite the confirmation, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to remain calm but vigilant since there is no threat to public health and the problem remains an animal health concern.

The public should not panic over the bird flu outbreak because the situation in affected provinces is under control, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Saturday.

“’Yung pong sa Pampanga po natin, so far, contained na po (The situation in Pampanga has so far been contained),” DA Undersecretary for Operations Ariel Cayanan said in a DZMM interview.

“Tama po kayo (You’re right), the word is don’t panic, under control po ang sitwasyon (The situation is under control),” he said.

Ngayon po ‘yung controlled area natin, ‘yung beyond one-kilometer and within seven-kilometer radius, ‘yan po ang ating sina-surveillance at sa awa ng Diyos, kung wala po tayong makikitang any recurrence e baka po mag-umpisa na tayong magbilangan and within 90 days po ay baka mai-deklara po nating libre yon,” Cayanan explained.

(The controlled area, which is beyond one-kilometer and within seven-kilometer radius, is being monitored. And if God-willing, if there will be no recurrence, we will start inventory and within 90 days, it can be declared free from bird-flu.)

Cayanan also said that the DA has already ordered the quarantine of Jaen and San Isidro towns in Nueva Ecija.