Benguet now bird flu-free
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture has declared Benguet cleared of bird flu after the 11 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 recorded in the province were contained and prevented from spreading.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Circular 53 certifying Benguet as free from avian influenza.
Laurel said the 11 cases were detected in Baguio City and in the municipalities of Atok, Buguias, Itogon, La Trinidad, Sablan and Tublay in February, March, May, June, July and September 2022.
The virus affected ducks, native chickens, chicken layers, game fowls, culled broiler breeders, turkeys and geese in concerned localities.
Laurel said the provincial government conducted depopulation and surveillance as soon as the cases were detected.
“Continued disease monitoring and surveillance within the one- and seven-kilometer zones surrounding the affected farms now tested negative for influenza type A virus,” Laurel said.
He said the World Organization for Animal Health requires that the bird flu-free status of a country or zone can be regained 28 days after a stamping-out policy has been completed.
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