The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has detected the country’s first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) Type A subtype H5N9 in several poultry farms in Camaligan, Camarines Sur. 

The BAI’s Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (ADDRL) said the bird flu was detected during a routine surveillance among duck samples on April 30.

Following the confirmation, the BAI said it is ordering immediate quarantine, culling, surveillance, and coordination with local authorities.

It has also notified the Department of Health (DOH) to “monitor any potential human exposure.”

The BAI, however, noted that while H5N9 is fatal to birds, it poses “low risks” to humans based on current global assessments.

The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO V) has since activated its command center and convened its regional quick response team to enforce control protocols. 

Coordination meetings with the regional office of the DOH, the provincial government of Camarines Sur, and the municipality of Camaligan have also taken place to streamline the necessary actions to curb the disease.

The BAI said the culling and proper disposal of the remaining ducks in the affected farms transpired on Tuesday, May 6.

Meanwhile, an intensive surveillance within the one-kilometer quarantine zone will begin on Wednesday, which will be followed by strict monitoring and disinfection measures.

DA RFO V, in close coordination with the BAI and the local government units, will oversee sustained disease control operations, including thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected sites to prevent further spread.

The BAI said it is committed to safeguarding the country’s poultry industry from the threat of the bird flu, noting that it will maintain close cooperation with other government agencies and stakeholders.

“We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual poultry deaths or signs of illness to local authorities for immediate action,” it said.