The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Davao del Sur free from bird flu after containing a single outbreak reported in November 2025.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the province met all requirements to regain its avian influenza-free status. The outbreak involved the H5 strain and was found in a backyard duck farm in Magsaysay town.
Authorities quickly acted by culling infected birds, disinfecting affected areas, restricting movement, and conducting surveillance. Tests in nearby zones showed no further spread of the virus.
The DA said the response followed international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which allows areas to be declared disease-free after at least 28 days without new cases.
Officials said the declaration will help restore market confidence, protect poultry farmers’ livelihoods, and support food supply stability.
However, the DA warned that risks remain, especially in small backyard farms with weaker biosecurity. The province had a similar outbreak in 2022, highlighting ongoing challenges such as poultry movement and exposure to migratory birds.
The DA added that any new case could lead to the loss of the province’s disease-free status, stressing the need for continued vigilance.
