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Panel keeps watch for bird flu virus
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Posted on Dec 12 2006
The Department of Public Health has formed a “pandemic flu” committee that keeps watch against the possible entry of the bird flu virus to the Commonwealth.
DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez said the “panflu” committee, which meets every week, includes DPH, Department of Lands and Natural Resources and Commonwealth Ports Authority. “When we get together we address the status of the bird flu, especially in our region,” he said.
Villagomez assured that the CNMI remains bird flu-free. “We continue to be vigilant on addressing what’s happening in the region,” he said.
Villagomez added that even the airlines are involved in this weekly endeavor. He said the airlines have been very cooperative, such as Asiana Airlines, which has added more flights to the CNMI this holiday season.
Villagomez shared that an outbreak was reported in South Korea earlier this month, affecting several poultry farms in that country. He said the infection was blamed on migratory birds. Several persons were tested and none of them were positive for the H5N1 virus.
“We want to make sure that people coming here and people going out are safe,” he said.
The CNMI doesn’t have large poultry farms but the committee surveys the island’s local farm industry once in a while to prevent reactionary actions if a pandemic flu hits the CNMI.
Villagomez said the committee also continues to monitor Susupe Lake, the Bird Sanctuaries on Rota, and other high-risk areas on the three islands. “We are surveying to make sure that no birds that come from as far as Siberia carry the virus.”
Division of Public Health medical director Richard Brostrom said the deadly virus continues to circulate. He said 2006 is the deadliest year ever for the avian flu. Recently, he said an Indonesian female died due to the contraction of the virus from the birds. There have been at least 154 deaths as of this year.
“There are more deaths this year than last year. It’s still brewing. It’s still simmering,” Brostrom said.
