Sultan Kudarat is now bird flu-free, says DA

FILE PHOTO: Sultan Kudarat has been declared free from bird flu after the province posted negative new infections and Avian Influenza (AI) test results in more than 90 days, according to the Department of Agriculture. Stock photo of chicken/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Sultan Kudarat has been declared free from bird flu after the province posted negative new infections and Avian Influenza (AI) test results in more than 90 days.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained in a statement that a bird flu-free status means the movement of birds, including chickens, ducks, and other poultry products, is allowed within and outside the province.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tiu issued the bird flu-free declaration for Sultan Kudarat after more than 90 days “since the end of the cleaning and disinfection operations and that surveillance activities yielded negative AI test results.”

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The local government unit, DA regional office, and Bureau of Animal Industry supervised the cleaning and disinfection activities and administered the AI test.

According to the DA, cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 were first reported in Sultan Kudarat’s Tacurong City and Isulan, Lebak, Lutayan and President Quirino towns in March 2022. Before this, the province was AI-free.

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From June 2022 to February 2023, the province reported more bird flu cases affecting ducks, native and layer chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, and geese.

The DA, however, explained that the World Organization for Animal Health allows a place previously free of AI to regain that status 28 days after the stamping out policy is completed, disinfection of the last affected establishment was carried out, and consequent surveillance demonstrated the absence of bird flu infection.