The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared Cagayan province free from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after months of monitoring and disease control efforts.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that the province is now free of bird flu based on a memorandum circular released recently.
He said it has been over 90 days since the completion of cleaning and disinfection operations, and subsequent surveillance tests yielded negative results for avian influenza (AI).
“Our goal is to ensure the country has enough supply of food that is not only affordable but safe for public consumption. It is also our duty to protect the local poultry industry, which creates millions of jobs and generates billions in investments,” he said.
Cagayan province was placed under close surveillance and monitoring after the detection of the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus in gamefowl in Solana town in January 2023.
