30/10/2025
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PRESS STATEMENT
DA reports bird flu detections in Isabela, Cotabato, South Cotabato
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has received reports of recent detections bird flu in the town of Gamu and Cauayan City in Isabela, in the town of Mlang, Cotabato, and in Norala, South Cotabato.
The DA-BAI stressed that the current detections of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza are localized, well-contained and pose no immediate threat to food safety.
It added that poultry products from monitored and accredited farms remain safe for consumption as the HPAI virus does not spread through properly cooked poultry meat or eggs. Continuous surveillance and monitoring are being conducted in coordination with local government units and other concerned agencies to ensure early detection and rapid response to any potential spread.
The DA remains in close coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Offices (PVO) of Isabela, Cotabato and South Cotabato; the City Veterinary Office (CVO) of Cauayan; and the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) of Gamu, Mlang and Norala in implementing containment, surveillance and biosecurity measures on the ground.
On October 16, the BAI–Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (BAI–ADDRL) confirmed the presence of H5N1 strain of bird flu in a commercial farm in a barangay in Gamu. The affected farm was immediately depopulated as part of containment measures. With surveillance results showing no further spread within the one-kilometer radius, the case has since been declared resolved.
In Mlang, HPAI Subtype H5N8 was detected on October 17 in two smallhold duck farms during routine surveillance. The first affected farm was immediately depopulated and was subjected to disinfection, quarantine and monitoring in coordination with the local veterinary office. Meanwhile, the second farm had already sold its flock prior to verification. Authorities are currently tracing the movement of the sold birds in close coordination with law enforcement and the local government unit to ensure that the virus is fully contained.
On October 20, the ADDRL confirmed detections of HPAI subtypes H5, H9, N1 and N2 in a commercial duck farm in Norala. The affected flock was reported to have been transferred to Maguindanao del Sur before the laboratory results were released. The DA Regional Field Office 12 (DA-RFO 12) immediately coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR–BARMM) to initiate monitoring, surveillance and biosecurity actions within the affected area.
On October 28, the BAI-ADDRL confirmed the presence of HPAI H5N1 in a commercial farm in Cauayan City. The farm immediately implemented depopulation, cleaning and disinfection following established biosecurity protocols after reporting unusual mortalities on October 20. Cleaning and disinfection activities were completed on October 27 and the area remains under close monitoring by the DA-RFO 2 and the local government.
The City Veterinary Office has completed surveillance within the one-kilometer radius surrounding the affected farm where additional detections of H5N1 were reported in smallhold duck farms. Control measures will soon commence following procedures stipulated in the Avian Influenza Protection Program - Manual of Procedures.
The DA–BAI urges poultry raisers and stakeholders to immediately report any unusual poultry mortalities or symptoms to their local veterinary/agriculture offices, maintain strict biosecurity in farms and cooperate fully with government surveillance and control teams.
Rest assured that we remain committed in protecting the country’s poultry sector, ensuring transparency in all reporting and upholding our mandate to provide safe and sustainable food supply for the Filipino people. # # #
