Camarines Sur, Davao del Sur declared bird flu-free

MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur and Davao del Sur have been declared free of avian influenza or bird flu.

The declaration was among the last memorandum circulars signed by former agriculture secretary William Dar on June 30.

Outbreaks were detected in the two provinces in March after grazing ducks tested positive for the virus.

The two provinces yielded negative results based on surveillance done in accordance with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Code and Avian Influenza Protection.

The DA said disease monitoring in the one-kilometer and seven-kilometer surveillance zones also showed negative results for influenza type A virus.

The last avian flu cases were detected in Camarines Sur and Davao del Sur on March 12 and April 1, respectively.

Based on Article 10.4.6. of the WOAH, also known as the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, a country or zone may be declared avian flu-free 28 days after completing a stamping out policy, disinfection and surveillance, resulting in the absence of infection.

As of June 24, Bureau of Animal Industry data showed that Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Benguet, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Isabela still have confirmed bird flu cases.

The agency said 133,160 birds have died of avian flu while 286,934 have been culled to stop the spread of the virus.