The Department of Agriculture has declared Quezon province free from avian influenza after it fulfilled the animal health requirements for regaining its disease-free status.
Quezon recorded three H5N1 cases earlier this year in poultry and backyard duck farms in Lucban and Sampaloc, prompting government authorities to conduct disease investigation, culling, movement controls, and disinfection.
Subsequent surveillance and testing within the designated quarantine and surveillance zones returned negative results for influenza A virus.
The declaration marks the second time Quezon has regained its bird flu-free status, following its previous declaration in 2023.
Despite the declaration, the DA said monitoring remains active, with 17 provinces listed by the Bureau of Animal Industry as having recovered from avian influenza as of Sept. 25.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 29, 2026
