Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared Camarines Norte province avian influenza-free after successfully containing a highly pathogenic H5N2 outbreak in a backyard duck farm in Talisay in December 2024.
Tiu Laurel revealed how the provincial government, in coordination with municipal authorities, the DA Regional Field Office V and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) swiftly implemented control measures.
These included immediate depopulation, disinfection, movement restrictions, and enhanced surveillance under the Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP).
Tiu Laurel said all tests returned negative following intensive monitoring within a 7-kilometer radius.
The DA, in Memorandum Circular 6, confirmed that after 28 days without new cases, the province successfully met the World Organization for Animal Health’s criteria to regain avian influenza-free status.
Prior to the outbreak, Camarines Norte had a clean record against avian flu.
