The Department of Agriculture (DA) has released new guidelines for targeted vaccination to help control the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu.
The updated rules, signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on October 29 and made public yesterday, outline a more focused approach to vaccination. It will now cover specific bird categories, sectors, or areas that are highly vulnerable to major outbreaks.
The DA said the targeted vaccination program will be based on factors such as disease risk, biosecurity levels, the economic value of poultry, and the extent of infection.
In addition to targeted vaccination, the agency will conduct protective emergency vaccinations in areas with a significant number of cases, as identified by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Ring vaccinations—vaccinating all poultry within a certain area around an outbreak—will also be carried out to quickly stop the disease from spreading.
Preventive vaccinations may be conducted in regions, provinces, or towns found to be at high risk of a bird flu outbreak.
The DA said these vaccination efforts aim to reduce the risk of human exposure to bird flu viruses, support ongoing control measures, and prevent further spread of the disease. The program also seeks to protect the country’s poultry gene pool, ensure production can resume after severe outbreaks, and prevent economic losses in vulnerable areas.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country had 212.83 million chickens as of July 1, 2025, with 5.6 million (or 2.6 percent) in Bulacan.
Latest BAI data show that six regions, nine provinces, 51 municipalities, and 137 barangays remain affected by bird flu. Ongoing cases were reported in a broiler breeder farm in Gamu, Isabela, and two duck farms in Mlang, Cotabato.
