The decision by the Ministry of Agriculture extends this measure to the entire territory of Spain, which had already been in force since Monday in some regions of the country, considered to be at greater risk. In Portugal, the risk of spreading bird flu is high.
The Government of Spain ordered the confinement, starting this Thursday, of all open-air poultry farms in the country due to the bird flu.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, this is a reinforcement of measures aimed at controlling the spread of influenza, given the increased risk of the disease spreading.
The decision – which prohibits the breeding and maintenance of birds outdoors – establishes that the confinement covers all types of livestock, including those for self-consumption.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, they have so far been notified in Spain 14 outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry, five in captive birds and 68 in wild birds.
The Spanish Government highlighted that in the last four weeks there has been an increase in the number of outbreaks detected in the central and northern Europeterritories from where migratory birds will predictably head towards the Iberian Peninsula with the arrival of winter.
The Ministry considered that there is a “clear risk of contagion” of birds raised outdoors, thus justifying the measure announced today.
Between July 1 and November 5, 139 outbreaks of bird flu were recorded on poultry farms in Europe, according to data from the European Animal Disease System (ADIS).
Other countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, also took measures similar to those announced in Spain.
Portugal with high risk of contamination
In Portugal, the risk of spreading bird flu is highwarned the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary (DGAV) on Tuesday, which determined the confinement in high-risk areas.
“In view of the sharp increase in the number of outbreaks of infection by the avian influenza virus in high pathogenicity confirmed and its wide geographical distribution in Europe, at this time, the risk of spreading the disease between wild birds and domestic birds is high”, warned the DGAV, in a statement.
The total number of outbreaks detected this year, in Portugal, is at 31.
DGAV highlighted that the vast majority of outbreaks in domestic birds originate from contacts with wild birdscalling for the reinforcement of biosafety measures.
Poultry in establishments located in high-risk areas, including domestic poultry and captive birdsmust be, obligatorily, in captivity.
Already In protection and surveillance zones, the movement of birds is prohibitedthe repopulation of game birds, fairs, markets and exhibitions, the circulation of fresh meat and eggs for hatching and human consumption, as well as the circulation of animal by-products.
At the beginning of the month, bird flu was confirmed again in the districts of Aveiro e Santarém.
The 2025 edition of Avisan – National Exhibition of Birds, Pet Animals, Equipment and Accessories, in Santarém, was canceled due to the worsening of the health situation caused by bird flu, CNEMA announced.
