The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Bataan province free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the ongoing surveillance has shown “the absence of infection,” leading to the lifting of the bird flu status.
“This declaration restores confidence in Bataan’s poultry sector and supports our long-term goal of securing food supply through science-based animal health policies,” Tiu Laurel said.
Although Bataan is now avian influenza-free, the DA cautioned that this status could be revoked if new confirmed cases appear.
Bird flu is one of the most economically damaging animal diseases, hitting the poultry sector particularly hard. The H5N1 subtype is especially concerning because of its potential to infect humans and other animals, making it a serious public health issue.
The announcement comes at a time of significant growth for Bataan’s poultry industry, as the province’s poultry production grew by 22 percent to 46,477 metric tons in 2024, largely due to increased chicken and egg output.
Bataan now contributes 1.6 percent to the national poultry production.
