The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed the detection of the country’s first case of the H5N9 bird flu virus in Camarines Sur.

The virus is officially called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Type A Subtype H5N9. It was found in duck samples from Camaligan town.

These samples were collected during routine monitoring by the Department of Agriculture's Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO V).

The test results were released on April 30 by the BAI-Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (BAI-ADDRL). While the virus is deadly for birds, global health agencies consider it to have a “low risk to humans.”

"DA-RFO V, led by Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla, activated its Command Center and convened its Regional Quick Response Team to enforce control protocols," BAI said in a statement.

Control measures began, including quarantine, culling, and disinfection. The Department of Health (DOH) was also informed to watch for possible human exposure.

Culling and safe disposal of remaining ducks in affected farms were completed on May 6.

Starting Wednesday, May 7, 2025, intensive surveillance is ongoing in areas within a 1-kilometer radius of the infection site.

Moving forward, agriculture officials said they will monitor both 1-kilometer and 7-kilometer zones around the area to ensure the virus does not spread.

“BAI is committed to protecting the Philippine's poultry industry from the threat of avian influenza and will maintain close cooperation with other government agencies and stakeholders,” BAI added.

The agency encouraged the public to report any sudden poultry deaths or unusual signs of illness to local authorities.