PH Now Bird Flu-Free

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), it has been declared by the global animal health body, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), that the Philippines is now free of the last remaining A(H5N6) strain of the Avian Influenza (AI) as of January 8, 2021.

“The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), announced that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) declared that as of January 8, 2021, the country is now free of the last remaining A(H5N6) strain of the Avian Influenza (AI).”

-DA

Lasy July 10, 2020, the recurrence of the A(H5N6) was confirmed by DA-BAI Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory.

The outbreaks of AI A(H5N6) in a commercial layer poultry farm in Pampanga, and backyard poultry farms in a village in Rizal was resolved by the Philippines in less than a year after the poultry virus reemerged in the country according to DA.

In the last 90 days, no cases of AI A(H5N6) were detected in the affected farms according to the DA-BAI report.

“We had not detected any case of AI A(H5N6) among the poultry and other bird population in the last 90 days after the completion of cleaning and disinfection in the affected farms, surveillance and monitoring, and completion of the 35-day restocking period with sentinel animals in Pampanga and Rizal.”

-DA-BAI Ronnie Domingo

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and DA-BAI have expressed their appreciation to Pampanga and Rizal’s local government’s rapid action.

“I congratulate the DA-BAI and the local governments of Pampanga and Rizal, whose swift action resulted in limiting the further spread of the AI A(H5N6) strain to other areas.”

-Agriculture Secretary William Dar

“We appreciate the rapid response and collaboration of the local government units of Pampanga and Rizal and DA Regional Field Offices III and IV-A.”

-DA-BAI

DA-BAI Reminder

Poultry farmers and industry stakeholders are reminded by DA-BAI “to remain vigilant and report any unusual mortalities to their respective farm veterinarians or nearest government veterinary or agriculture office.

Contact the following numbers to verify sources of information with the DA-BAI for proper guidance :

• 09951329339
• 09208543119

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Source: DA