Philippines-Stricter veterinarian practices in meat industry.
PHILIPPINES-ZAMBOANGA CITY—The local government, through the City Veterinarian’s Office, has intensified an information campaign regarding meat products amid the global H1N1 flu scare.
Dubbed as CELSO, the information campaign focuses on tips in buying and handling meat products and other measures to allay fears among the people here on the possible spread of the H1N1 flu virus—declared by the World Health Organization as pandemic in Mexico and some parts of the US. The virus is capable of human-to-human transmission.
CELSO, which is also equivalent to Mayor Lobregat’s first name, stands for check the normal appearance and freshness of the meat; examine for inspection marks and brands of inspection in animal meat; look for the meat inspection certificate; secure or buy only meat from registered and reputable meat vendors and markets; and observe proper handling and storage of meat.
Dr. Mario Ariola, the City Veterinarian, earlier allayed public fears about the possible spread here of the flu outbreak among humans in the US and Mexico. He asked the people to continue buying hog meat and consume only pork products that have been properly cooked.
The H1N1 flu broke out in Mexico, but confirmed cases in other parts of the world have markedly increased over the last two weeks.
H1N1 flu is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs, and is caused by a Type A influenza virus. Outbreaks in pigs occur year-round but the current strain is a new variation of the virus, which is a mix of human and animal strains.
Reports reveal that when the flu spreads person-to-person, instead of animals-to-humans, it could mutate indefinitely, making it harder to treat or fight, because people have no natural immunity to the new strain.
The symptoms are similar to those of the common flu—fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around another person, and people can become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouths, noses or eyes.
Ariola stressed that people need not worry about anything, for as long as they follow the CELSO tips and employ good hygiene and sanitation practices.
Dr. Rodel Agbulos, the city health officer, also stressed that the city government has in place certain steps in disease surveillance at the Zamboanga City Medical Center and Puericulture Hospital, where random samplings are taken from patients with influenza-like syndrome.
"We started this surveillance a year ago even before the H1N1 flu broke out and we send the findings to Manila for further test and we get results regularly," he added.
Eight people appeared at the Letsitele Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they allegedly stole a giraffe and slaughtered it, Limpopo police said.
Superintendent Alpheus Mokale said the eight were arrested at the weekend for allegedly stealing the animal from a game reserve in the area.
"They stole the giraffe for meat consumption because when police arrested them they were preparing to eat it." - Sapa
