ProMED reported on an outbreak of avian influenza on a farm in the Municipality of Kananga located in central Leyte Province. Approximately 60,000 breeder chickens (type not specified) were depopulated. The outbreak was reported by the Department of Agriculture for the Eastern Visayas region on March 25th. The source has not been determined but migratory birds are suspected of introducing infection.
Authorities in the Province of Cebu have announced a ban on entry of live birds from Leyte as a precaution.
The Philippines has notified the WOAH of more than 280 outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza since the beginning of 2022 and the infection should be regarded as endemic. Since the Philippines is a net importer of poultry meat and eradication is not possible, vaccination would appear to be an appropriate strategy. This approach has been initiated to control ASF that is also endemic and has not responded to traditional methods of control.