MANILA: The Philippines has detected its first case of the H5N9 strain of bird flu, according to a report released Wednesday (May 7) by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). The infection was found in ducks from Camaligan, Camarines Sur, marking the latest strain of avian influenza to reach the country.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), which oversees the BAI, confirmed that laboratory tests showed positive results for the highly pathogenic Type A Subtype H5N9 virus. Although the strain is known to spread rapidly and cause severe illness in birds, the DA stated that it poses only a low risk to humans unless there is prolonged and repeated exposure.
First identified in the United States earlier this year, the H5N9 virus is believed to be a mutation of previously circulating bird flu strains. In the Philippines, local livestock have already been affected by other variants, including H5N1, H5N2, and H5N6.
The last recorded outbreak occurred in January and involved the H5N2 strain in Camarines Norte, affecting 15 out of 428 backyard ducks, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
In response to the latest case, the BAI has rolled out immediate containment efforts in the Bicol Region. These include quarantine enforcement, culling of infected birds, heightened surveillance, and coordination with local government units and the Department of Health to monitor for any possible human transmission.
The DA added that extended disease control measures are being carried out within a 1-kilometre and a 7-kilometre radius of the outbreak site. These include thorough cleaning and disinfection to curb further spread of the virus.
As of April 25, avian influenza continues to affect four regions and eight provinces, including Kalinga, Benguet, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Bulacan, Laguna, and Manila.
The Philippines first reported bird flu in 2005 during a global wave of poultry infections. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
