DA detects first H5N9 bird flu case in Camarines Sur duck farms

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed the detection of the first case of H5N9 subtype of bird flu in a number of duck samples from Camarines Sur.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said duck samples collected during a routine surveillance in farms in Camaligan, Camarines Sur tested positive on April 30.

“Subtype H5N9, while highly pathogenic in birds, poses low risk to humans based on current global assessments,” the DA said in a statement on Wednesday, May 7.

Authorities on Tuesday culled and disposed of the remaining ducks in affected farms.

Intensive surveillance within the one-kilometer quarantine zone began on Wednesday followed by monitoring and disinfection measures.

The Department of Health has been notified to “monitor any potential human exposure.”

Local officials are set to conduct “sustained disease control operations including surveillance within 1-km and 7-km zones and thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected sites to prevent further spread.”

On March 5, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared Camarines Norte an “avian influenza-free province” following a single case of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N2 in a backyard duck farm in Talisay town.