Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Found in Irogo Norte, Philippines

On October 29, local time, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, found highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in local free-range chickens, which were only distributed by the provincial government to beneficiaries participating in the return program.

The provincial government said: "Several days after the distribution campaign, RT-PCR tests on chickens showed that they were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1)."

The provincial government did not further specify the affected areas, but said it had notified the local government units concerned and was conducting close monitoring and disinfection to control the spread of the virus.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H5N1 is fatal to animals, and it also has the potential to infect humans and cause serious diseases.

Local breeders are required to coordinate any poultry deaths with the local agricultural office, while residents with flu-like symptoms should go to the local health office for medical treatment. In addition, local government departments were also required to "carry out information education activities on bird flu in unaffected areas".