Cotabato regains bird flu-free status

MANILA, Philippines – Cotabato has regained its bird flu-free status after resolving cases that affected backyard duck farms in the province, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Under Memorandum Circular No. 32, the DA confirmed that the animal disease is no longer present in Cotabato.

The DA declared Cotabato bird flu-free in November 2023 after HPAI H5N1 cases hit M’lang, Tulunan, and Carmen in 2022. However, in October last year, the DA reported an H5N8 strain in M’lang that infected backyard duck farms.

Article continues after this advertisement

Local authorities conducted disease investigation, immediate depopulation, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions and surveillance in the affected premises in accordance with Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) guidelines.

FEATURED STORIES

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

The DA’s monitoring and surveillance in the 1-kilometer and 7-kilometer zones around the affected area found no influenza Type A virus, while authorities completed the required disinfection operations.

“Cotabato’s recovery demonstrates that when national agencies and local governments act quickly and work together, disease outbreaks can be contained before they threaten the broader poultry industry,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

“This declaration is a recognition of that hard work, but it is also a reminder that vigilance and strong farm biosecurity must remain our first line of defense,” he added.

The DA said the development will restore confidence in poultry trade and help producers affected by the bird flu outbreak.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), a previously free country or zone may regain its avian influenza free status at least 28 days after completing stamping-out operations and disinfection of the last affected establishment. The subsequent surveillance should confirm the absence of infection.

The DA order said any confirmed re-entry of avian influenza will prompt immediate notice to concerned offices and the revocation of the bird flu-free status.

Article continues after this advertisement

Based on the Bureau of Animal Industry’s report as of July 3, 16 provinces have fully recovered from avian influenza.

These are Rizal, Ilocos Sur, Batangas, Capiz, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Leyte, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Bataan, Bulacan, Davao Del Sur, South Cotabato and Cotabato.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Meanwhile, there are active cases in San Quintin in Bolinao, Pangasinan and Mexico, Pampanga.