Philippines: Avian flu prompts culling of 200,000 chickens

Event

Thousands of chickens in the Philippines will be culled to prevent the spread of avian influenza (type A, H5 strain) among chickens in the Philippines, according to a statement made Friday, August 11, by the Philippine Secretary of Agriculture. The outbreak is currently contained in a 1-kilometer radius in three districts of Pampanga province: Mexico, San Luis, and San Simon. The Department of Agriculture has started culling infected chickens, estimating that some 200,000 will be culled, and then buried. The Department also ordered in recent days that no movement of birds, eggs, or poultry products is to be allowed to enter or exit a 7-kilometer radius of the infected area.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture also stated Friday that there are no reports of animal-to-human transmission of avian influenza yet in the Philippines. The Department of Health has recently dispatched a team to monitor the outbreak and assess the health of workers in the affected area. Expect heightened public health precautions in Central Luzon as the situation develops.

Context

Avian influenza (type A, H5 strain) started spreading in Pampanga in April, according to the Philippine Secretary of Agriculture, but was only reported in August when associated chicken deaths rose to 30,000.

In humans, the incubation period of avian influenza ranges from seven to ten days. Symptoms include eye infection, fever, cough, sore throat, or severe respiratory illness; more virulent forms can result in respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and even death. Though the risk of transmission from animals to humans is low, the human mortality rate is high once the infection has occurred (around 50 percent).

Advice

Anyone experiencing the abovementioned symptoms, particularly after contact with poultry or poultry products in affected areas, are advised to seek medical attention. As most cases can be traced to direct or close contact with infected or dead poultry, all those present in the Philippines are advised to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and surfaces that appear contaminated with byproducts from poultry or other animals. Practice good personal hygiene (wash hands frequently, etc.) and ensure that all poultry or poultry products are properly prepared and thoroughly cooked prior to consumption.