DA declares Bataan bird-flu free

The Department of Agriculture officially declared last week Bataan province as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Dr. Alberto Venturina, provincial veterinarian, said that under DA Memorandum Order No. 31, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel confirmed that Bataan is no longer affected by bird-flu virus following latest surveillance team report.

Venturina said, “This is a welcome news for the top poultry producing province in Central Luzon after three years.” The harmful infection was first reported in 2022, was controlled but was detected again in a duck farm in Balanga.

In 2024, DA record showed, Bataan produced 46,477 metric tons of poultry supply, 22 percent higher than the previous year. The DA will continue to monitor the province for any presence of infection, Venturina said.

The DA, however, warned that if any presence of infection is detected  the status will be withdrawn.