DA declares Camarines Sur free from bird flu

The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared on Thursday that Camarines Sur is free from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu, following the successful implementation of containment and surveillance measures. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared on Thursday that Camarines Sur is free from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu, following the successful implementation of containment and surveillance measures.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Circular No. 27 officially restoring the province’s bird flu-free status, in line with World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines.

The move was made “in accordance with guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health, which allows an area to regain bird flu-free status 28 days after a successful stamping-out operation, followed by disinfection and the absence of new cases,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

READ: DA: Camarines Norte now free of bird flu 

The DA regional office, in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and local government units, conducted containment measures including investigation, depopulation, disinfection, movement restrictions, and surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.

The last H5N9 case in the province was reported in April at a backyard farm in Camaligan town.

Before this, cases of H5N1 were also detected in 2022.

Tiu Laurel cautioned that the province’s “bird flu-free” status could be immediately revoked if a new case emerges.

As of Sept. 5, there are 138 barangays in 53 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol that are still affected by the avian influenza, according to the BAI. (PNA)/coa