PANDI, Bulacan — At least six members of the so-called "depopulation team" at Win Farm in this town where 6,000 pigs are infected with the dreaded Ebola Reston virus have been suffering from "some kind of illness," a health officer said.

Dr. Joy Gomez, public health officer of Bulacan, confirmed at yesterday’s press briefing that six members of the team have experienced dizziness, headache, and fatigue.

The sickness experienced by the workers might be due to the protective suits that they are wearing, Gomez said, adding that the discomfort caused by the suits, which are uncomfortably hot, could become unbearable when the workers are near a fire pit and working under the sun.

Gomez did not say if the sickness might have been caused by the Ebola Reston virus.

The health of the depopulation team, Gomez said, is closely monitored by medical response teams.

She said that workers entering the "hot zone of the farm," where the depopulation processes are going, are subjected to thorough health checkup before they are allowed to proceed to the work area.

Once some symptoms are noted, the workers are immediately ordered to take a rest and undergo further medical tests.

Senior Supt. Allen B. Bantolo, Bulacan police director, said that Supt. Manaranay Lopez of the 306^th Provincial Mobile Group of the Bulacan Police Office said that security is very strict in the area.

He said they have specific orders not to let anyone leave and enter the farm even if the depopulation operation has been completed.

Bantolo said that the airspace over the farm has been declared a "no-fly zone" by the Air Transport Office and that anyone found violating it will be dealt accordingly.

The license of the pilot may be suspended and the aircraft may be grounded.