Camarines Norte free from avian influenza

On Wednesday, March 5, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that Camarines Norte is now free from avian influenza.

The province confirmed one case of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N2 at a duck farm in Talisay in December 2024, with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) reporting the virus detected in 15 out of 428 backyard ducks.

Following detection, local government units and agencies swiftly implemented depopulation, disease control measures, disinfection, and biosecurity activities as per Memorandum Circular 6.

Surveillance within a one-kilometer and seven-kilometer radius around the affected area yielded no new bird flu infections, with all tests returning negative results for the virus.

According to WOAH guidelines, a zone regains free status when it records no new cases for 28 days after depopulation and disinfection.

Eight other provinces remain affected by avian influenza as of February 28: Kalinga, Benguet, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Bulacan, Laguna, plus the City of Manila.

In January, the Department of Agriculture said field trials of bird flu vaccines from Hungary and Germany were ongoing.