Cotabato: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Cotabato province is now free from avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA issued Memorandum Circular 32 on July 9, restoring the province's disease-free status after nearly a year since an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain was reported in duck farms located in M'lang. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the collaborative efforts of national and local government units in achieving this milestone.

"This declaration is a recognition of that hard work, but it is also a reminder that vigilance and strong farm biosecurity must remain our first line of defense," said Tiu Laurel. He further noted that the outbreak was successfully contained before posing a broader threat to the province.

The official declaration is anticipated to enhance confidence in poultry movement and trade within and from the province, aiding the recovery of local producers whose livelihoods suffered during the outbreak. The outbreak had been confirmed in October 2025, which led to an aggressive response from the DA regional field office. This response was in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the provincial government of Cotabato.

Measures implemented included the depopulation of affected flocks, movement restrictions, extensive cleaning and disinfection, and intensified surveillance efforts. Subsequent testing conducted within 1-kilometer and 7-kilometer surveillance zones around the affected farms yielded negative results for the influenza Type A virus.

This declaration aligns with the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health, which stipulate that an area previously affected by avian influenza can regain a disease-free status at least 28 days after the completion of stamping-out operations, disinfection, and surveillance confirming the absence of the disease. Notably, in 2023, Cotabato had regained its avian influenza-free status following biosecurity measures due to a previous battle with an H5N1 outbreak in 2022.