After 7 months, Capiz now free of bird flu
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Capiz free from bird flu, about seven months after the virus was detected in poultry farms in the province.
Capiz is the sixth province that has fully recovered from the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this year after Rizal, Quezon, South Cotabato, Ilocos Sur, and Batangas, according to the DA.
The province produced negative test results more than 90 days after the conclusion of cleaning and disinfection operations as well as surveillance activities.
In December last year, Capiz recorded one case of HPAI (subtype H5N1) at Barangay Dayaw in Roxas City, affecting layer chickens and ducks.
The provincial government of Capiz and the city government of Roxas, in coordination with the DA’s regional field office in Western Visayas and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), then conducted disease investigation, immediate depopulation, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions, and surveillance in affected farms.
Agriculture officials also ordered movement restrictions and monitoring in the 1-kilometer and 7-km surveillance zones surrounding the affected farms.
A country or zone may regain its bird flu-free status at least 28 days after it completes a stamping-out policy, disinfection and surveillance which will yield zero infection, the World Organization for Animal Health said.
Central Luzon and Cordillera regions have active cases of HPAI, based on BAI’s report as of June 23.
Affected areas include the municipalities of Magalang, Arayat, and the City of San Fernando in Pampanga province, and Rizal town in Kalinga province.
For this year, the BAI earmarked P177.78 million for the Avian Influenza Protection Program which would roll out mitigating measures before and during outbreaks of bird flu. It would also be used to respond to animal disease emergencies through early detection and reliable laboratory diagnostics.
