MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Davao del Sur free from avian influenza following the successful containment of a lone outbreak reported late last year.

In a memorandum circular, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the province met all requirements to regain its disease-free status after a November 2025 case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Subtype H5 detected in a backyard duck farm in the municipality of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

“Declaring Davao del Sur avian influenza-free is not just a technical milestone—it is a critical step in securing our food supply, restoring investor confidence, and protecting the livelihoods of our poultry farmers,” Tiu Laurel said. “A stable, disease-free environment encourages investments, supports job creation across the value chain, and ultimately ensures better and more reliable income for our farmers.”

The DA said authorities immediately implemented containment measures, including culling of affected birds, disinfection, movement restrictions, and intensified monitoring. These actions were carried out by the provincial government in coordination with the DA Regional Field Office XI and the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Surveillance conducted within 1-kilometer and 7-kilometer control zones showed negative results for influenza type A virus, indicating no further spread of the disease. Authorities also completed required cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with international standards.

The declaration follows guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which allow areas to regain avian influenza-free status at least 28 days after containment and confirmed absence of infection.

The DA noted that the outbreak occurred in a backyard poultry farm, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in small-scale operations that typically have limited biosecurity measures.

The province previously regained avian influenza-free status in 2022 after an H5N1 outbreak, indicating continued exposure to risks such as poultry movement and migratory birds.

The agriculture department said any new confirmed infection could lead to the revocation of the disease-free status, stressing the need for continued monitoring and strict compliance with biosecurity protocols.

Officials said the declaration is expected to boost market confidence and help stabilize the local poultry supply chain, while underscoring the importance of sustained investments in disease prevention measures.