Camarines Sur is now free from avian influenza following intensified efforts to contain the animal disease, the Department of Agriculture announced yesterday.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the declaration through the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 27.
Tiu Laurel cautioned, however, that the said province’s bird flu-free status may be immediately revoked if a new confirmed case arises.
The DA said the province’s outcome was the result of a comprehensive disease control and surveillance campaign carried out in Camarines Sur over the past six months.
This, after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N9 was confirmed last April in a backyard duck farm located in the municipality of Camaligan.
The campaign included disease investigation, immediate depopulation of affected poultry, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions, and active surveillance.
Subsequent monitoring within 1-kilometer and 7-kilometer zones surrounding the infected area yielded no further positive cases of the virus.
Tiu Laurel said the declaration was issued in accordance with the guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
According to the WOAH, a country can regain its avian influenza-free status after at least 28 days with no new cases following a stamping-out operation.
Before the H5N9 strain affected the town, Camarines Sur had also reported H5N1 cases in 2022, the DA noted.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that chicken production totaled 2.08 million metric tons (MT) in 2024, an increase of 6.8 percent. Its market value rose by 11 percent to P278.66 billion.
On the other hand, duck output was flat at 29,960 MT last year, valued at P5.16 billion.
Camarines Sur is not among the leading producers of chicken or duck in the Philippines.
