The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially declared Bataan free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), marking a major recovery milestone for one of Central Luzon’s key poultry-producing provinces.
In a memorandum order, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that recent surveillance activities showed no signs of bird flu infection, prompting the lifting of the disease status.
Bataan had faced repeated HPAI H5N1 outbreaks since 2022, with significant cases reported in duck farms in Pilar and Balanga City in 2023, and a quail farm in Hermosa as recently as May 2024.
The DA, in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and local authorities, implemented strict disease control measures, including culling, quarantine, disinfection, and surveillance testing.
“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,” said Tiu Laurel. However, the DA cautioned that the bird flu-free status could be revoked if new cases arise.
The announcement comes amid continued growth in Bataan’s poultry industry, which produced 46,477 metric tons of poultry products in 2024—up 22 percent from the previous year—contributing 1.6 percent to national output.
The DA pledged ongoing support for biosecurity and disease monitoring to prevent future outbreaks.
