7 more suspected bird flu cases being monitored

Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial earlier announced that 30 people from Pampanga and four from Nueva Ecija poultry farm workers and people culling chickens who have manifested flu-like symptoms— have all tested negative for bird flu. (Photo by United Soybean board/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA— The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the health of seven persons who have been exposed to infected fowls and have shown symptoms of flu.

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) director Dr. Soccoro Lupisan said Friday putting the seven under observation is part of steps to control the transmission of infectious diseases, including avian influenza, in the country.

Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial earlier announced that 30 people from Pampanga and four from Nueva Ecija poultry farm workers and people culling chickens who have manifested flu-like symptoms— have all tested negative for bird flu.

Lupisan said nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples have been taken from the seven and sent to the RITM for tests that would determine if they are positive or negative for avian flu.

”They will be isolated until we get negative results. That is our standard procedure,” she said in an interview.

She further said that the chances of patients recovering from H5N6, the bird flu strain found in the two provinces, are big especially when the patient’s symptoms are managed properly.

Meanwhile, Ubial allayed public fears that it is not safe to eat poultry and poultry products by eating chicken and eggs in front of the media.

Members of the press were also served the same food by suppliers of poultry and poultry products, in an effort to regain public confidence in eating chicken.