The country is gaining progress in its effort to stamp out avian influenza after the Department of Agriculture (DA) declared the province of Bataan free from the animal disease.
Bataan is one of the latest province to be declared avian flu-free.
Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed there were no positive avian influenza cases reported from October 14 to October 20. There are no ongoing cases since culling and depopulation activities in previously reported cases were completed.
Despite having no ongoing cases of the disease, not all previously affected areas can be simultaneously considered free from avian influenza as under the current government guidelines, only those without cases for at least 90 days can be processed to be considered as recovered.
The declaration of Bataan as avian-flu free was made through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 39 Series 2022.
The MC signed by DA Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in Bataan was detected back in March 22, 2022.
The MC said based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of 2021 of the World Organization for Animal Health, the avian influenza free status of a previously free country or zone may be regained after a minimum period of 28 days after a stamping-out policy has been completed alongside the disinfection of the last affected establishment was carried out together with consequent surveillance.
