Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — The Department of Health on Friday assured the public that humans have a low chance of contracting the bird flu virus.
“Hindi kinakailangan mag-alala ang publiko bilang ang chance po ng transmission ng avian flu sa tao ay mababa,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.
[Translation: The public shouldn’t worry because the chance of avian flu transmission to humans is low.]
Vergeire made the statement days after the Agriculture department declared bird flu outbreaks in some provinces.
Citing the World Health Organization, Vergeire said transmission from birds to humans and from one person to another is very rare.
“Ngunit kahit na ganon, inaabisuhan pa rin po natin ang publiko na umiwas muna po tayo sa paglapit sa mga wild birds, sa mga ibong may sakit, o doon po sa mga taong naging close contact ng mga ibon o mga fowls na mga may sakit,” she added.
[Translation: But even if that’s the case, we remind the public to still avoid wild birds, sick birds, or people who have been in close contact with sick birds or fowls.]
Since avian flu is a respiratory disease, Vergeire said the minimum public health standards practiced amid the COVID-19 pandemic – like wearing face masks, frequent washing of hands, and avoiding sick people – remain effective.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said symptoms of bird flu infection in humans include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffed nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
