[ BAI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 07, S. 2004, September 28, 2004 ]
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON CONTACT WITH AND/OR HANDLING OF WILD, MIGRATORY AND PET BIRDS
This is to reiterate advisory on contact with and/or handling of wild, migratory and pet birds in relations to their role in the transmission of the deadly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI-H5NI strain) infection to domestic poultry and even humans. This advisory is issued amidst news items on the diagnosis of flu-like symptoms among Malaysian navy sailors who had contact with dead swallows while patrolling Layang-Layang Island in the Spratly Chain of Islands.
Migratory birds are known to become contaminated or infected with the Bird Flu virus when they get in contact with infected poultry during their migration flight and stop-overs in infected areas and countries. They can transmit the infection when they have adequate direct contact with domestic poultry and even humans, thus it is necessary to adopt the following precautionary measures.
1. Do not capture and handle migratory and wild birds. Do not sell or buy them. Report illegal sale of the birds.
2. If you find migratory and wild birds, report to the nearest Barangay, Town, City or other government official or to the Parks and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Regional Department of Agriculture Offices, Provincial/City Veterinary Office, Provincial/City Environment and Resources Office (PENRO/CENRO), Municipal Agriculture Offices.
3. If it is necessary to handle Migratory and Wild Birds, wear protective nose/mouth mask. Wash your hands and other exposed body parts and discard and decontaminate by washing or disinfection of exposed clothes and foot wear. Avian flu infection is usually transmitted by inhalation but can also be passed from exposed body parts especially hands to the nose and mouth.
4. Prevent contact of migratory and wild birds with domestic poultry to prevent transmission of infection if any. If necessary, quarantine them for at least thirty days.
5. Please call the following `BIRD FLU MIGRATORY BIRD HOTLINES:
For strict compliance.
Adopted: 28 Sept. 2004
(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretry
Migratory birds are known to become contaminated or infected with the Bird Flu virus when they get in contact with infected poultry during their migration flight and stop-overs in infected areas and countries. They can transmit the infection when they have adequate direct contact with domestic poultry and even humans, thus it is necessary to adopt the following precautionary measures.
1. Do not capture and handle migratory and wild birds. Do not sell or buy them. Report illegal sale of the birds.
2. If you find migratory and wild birds, report to the nearest Barangay, Town, City or other government official or to the Parks and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Regional Department of Agriculture Offices, Provincial/City Veterinary Office, Provincial/City Environment and Resources Office (PENRO/CENRO), Municipal Agriculture Offices.
3. If it is necessary to handle Migratory and Wild Birds, wear protective nose/mouth mask. Wash your hands and other exposed body parts and discard and decontaminate by washing or disinfection of exposed clothes and foot wear. Avian flu infection is usually transmitted by inhalation but can also be passed from exposed body parts especially hands to the nose and mouth.
4. Prevent contact of migratory and wild birds with domestic poultry to prevent transmission of infection if any. If necessary, quarantine them for at least thirty days.
5. Please call the following `BIRD FLU MIGRATORY BIRD HOTLINES:
BAI-Directors Office
927-0971 National Veterinary Quarantine Services 920-0816 Philippine Animal Health Center 920-0429 PAWB-DENR 924-6031 to 39 DOH
743-8301 to 2350
For strict compliance.
Adopted: 28 Sept. 2004
Secretry