The province of Quezon has been declared by Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban as Avian Influenza-Free.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this influenza, also known as bird flu, is a Type A virus that spreads among "wild aquatic birds worldwide" that can infect other birds, poultry and could even be transferred to humans.
Memorandum Circular No. 38 of the Department of Agriculture (DA), based on Terrestrial Animal Health Code, declares that the DA will implement this 28 days after facilitation of prescribed disinfection within the acceptable prescribed area.
"Article 10.4.6 of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE), Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2022) provides that the Avian Influenza free status of a previously free country or zone may be regained after a minimum period of 28 days after a stamping-out policy has been completed; disinfection of the last affected establishment was carried out and that consequent surveillance demonstrated the absence of infection."
In April this year, there were two confirmed cases of "Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Subtype H5N1" in the town of Candelaria. Affected were ducks and quails.
The memo also wrote that "upon detection of the disease, the Provincial Government of Quezon, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-A (DA RFO IV-A) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), conducted disease investigation, immediate depopulation, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions and surveillance in the affected premises following the Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) guidelines."
Good news is that results for bird flu were negative in nearby areas, following the continued disease monitoring and surveillance in 1-km and 7- km surveillance zones. "Thus, 90 days following the surveillance, negative AI test results were found," reports said.
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