Tonka
Well-known member
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=16551
PIA Press Release
Friday, February 11, 2011
Philippines
Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office calls for observance of protocols on marine mammals stranding response
by Irma A. Guhit
SORSOGON CITY, Feb 11 (PIA) - Sorsogon should observe protocols on marine mammals stranding.
Sorsogon veterinary officer Dr. Enrique Espiritu made this call after a stranded 300 kg.Indo-Pacific Dolphin found last week near the pier site of Matnog was released.
According to the medical assessment, the Dolphin was found to be infected by a disease called "lobo mycosis".
The finding was a result of the analysis of the dolphin's blood, tissue and fecal samples submitted for examination by the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
" Lobo mycosis" is a disease caused by contamination to highly polluted water where marine mammals are usually exposed this being their habitat. A marine mammal contaminated by such kind of disease maybe compared too, to mosquitoes considered as vectors and become carriers of diseases that can affect humans.
Records have it that in some cases where marine mammals are stranded and are found dead sometimes are usually slaughtered or butchered and consumed as food.
In the marine mammal emergency response protocols, it is emperative that no slaughtering or butchering be done specially if this is to be consumed as food. The disease of these mammals may cause an outbreak of another kind of disease if consumed by people in a community.
The importance of creating awareness on how to handle stranded marine mammals and observe protocols is significantly for health reasons too .It is always important according to Dr. Espiritu that marine mammals and marine turtles stranding be reported immediately and caution in handling be observed.
"Because of the certain conditions now in our environment and the conditions of certain bodies of water, the provincial veterinary office is providing a hotline where one can report immediately this kind of cases. Children should never be allowed to go near or play with these stranded marine animals since if they are badly hurt some may show abnormal behaviours. and may cause harm to those who will go near it", Dr. Espiritu concluded.
PIA Press Release
Friday, February 11, 2011
Philippines
Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office calls for observance of protocols on marine mammals stranding response
by Irma A. Guhit
SORSOGON CITY, Feb 11 (PIA) - Sorsogon should observe protocols on marine mammals stranding.
Sorsogon veterinary officer Dr. Enrique Espiritu made this call after a stranded 300 kg.Indo-Pacific Dolphin found last week near the pier site of Matnog was released.
According to the medical assessment, the Dolphin was found to be infected by a disease called "lobo mycosis".
The finding was a result of the analysis of the dolphin's blood, tissue and fecal samples submitted for examination by the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
" Lobo mycosis" is a disease caused by contamination to highly polluted water where marine mammals are usually exposed this being their habitat. A marine mammal contaminated by such kind of disease maybe compared too, to mosquitoes considered as vectors and become carriers of diseases that can affect humans.
Records have it that in some cases where marine mammals are stranded and are found dead sometimes are usually slaughtered or butchered and consumed as food.
In the marine mammal emergency response protocols, it is emperative that no slaughtering or butchering be done specially if this is to be consumed as food. The disease of these mammals may cause an outbreak of another kind of disease if consumed by people in a community.
The importance of creating awareness on how to handle stranded marine mammals and observe protocols is significantly for health reasons too .It is always important according to Dr. Espiritu that marine mammals and marine turtles stranding be reported immediately and caution in handling be observed.
"Because of the certain conditions now in our environment and the conditions of certain bodies of water, the provincial veterinary office is providing a hotline where one can report immediately this kind of cases. Children should never be allowed to go near or play with these stranded marine animals since if they are badly hurt some may show abnormal behaviours. and may cause harm to those who will go near it", Dr. Espiritu concluded.