By Michelle Ducut
The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) has activated a command center and rolled out control measures to address the first recorded case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N2 in Camarines Norte.
The outbreak, confirmed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), involved backyard ducks in Talisay and Vinzons towns. DA-5 Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla announced on Wednesday that immediate steps have been taken to contain the virus, including the culling of affected ducks and restricting movement within a one-kilometer quarantine zone.
Surveillance and monitoring are ongoing in the surrounding areas to detect any further cases. The measures are being carried out by the DA’s Regional Quick Response Team for Animal Disease and Emergencies (RQRT-ADE).
Tornilla assured the public that the DA-5 is coordinating with local government units, the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Department of Health, and municipal agriculture offices for a unified response. Affected farmers will receive proper indemnification.
The DA emphasized that there is no risk of humans contracting bird flu from thoroughly cooked chicken meat. “There is no evidence of transmission of the virus to humans from raw, chilled, or frozen poultry foods. Consumers are advised to ensure that chicken meat carries an inspection certificate from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS),” the agency stated.
Poultry farm owners were urged to strengthen biosecurity measures to safeguard their flocks. These measures include proper hand hygiene, thorough cooking of poultry products, and promptly reporting any unusual bird illnesses or deaths to municipal agriculture or veterinary offices.
The DA-5 reiterated its commitment to controlling the avian flu outbreak and called for public cooperation to prevent the virus’s spread. “We will continue to provide updates and information to the public as the situation develops,” Tornilla said.