Earlier this year, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) confirmed the detection of bird flu in an egg farm in San Luis, Pampanga. Initial investigation around the area revealed the presence of migratory birds, which many have associated with bird flu outbreaks.

Also known as avian influenza, bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian influenza Type A viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said these viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds but can infect domestic poultry, other birds, other animal species and — very rarely — humans.