Catalan authorities have declared a health emergency after bird flu was detected at a poultry farm in Lleida. The decision to introduce restrictive measures was made after an emergency meeting with relevant agencies. All poultry farms within a ten-kilometer radius of the outbreak have been placed under strict quarantine. Veterinary control has been intensified and monitoring increased within a three-kilometer zone around the farm.
Specialists are already on site and have begun culling infected birds. All nearby facilities have temporarily suspended operations to prevent the virus from spreading. According to regional government officials, the situation is fully under control and all necessary measures have been taken without delay.
Restrictions and measures
Currently, there are fourteen active outbreaks of bird flu in Spain, and the new case in Lleida has prompted stricter sanitary regulations. Authorities stress that, so far, other poultry farms in the immediate area have not been affected. Animal movement within the infected farm has also not occurred, reducing the risk of further transmission.
In response to the situation, regional authorities have implemented additional safety protocols. Access to poultry farms is now more strictly controlled, new disinfection procedures have been introduced, and waste and dead animal disposal has been intensified. All these measures aim to minimize risks to other farms and prevent the virus from spreading beyond the quarantine zone.
Risks and safety
Alongside its fight against avian influenza, the region faces other veterinary challenges, including African swine fever. Despite the alarming news, officials assure the public that consuming meat and eggs remains safe for people. Veterinary and biosafety specialists are working around the clock to prevent the situation from worsening.
A comprehensive response to contain the outbreak is planned over the next thirty days. If all regulations are followed, export restrictions could be lifted within a month. Authorities emphasize that the avian flu situation is not as critical for foreign trade as it was with African swine fever.
Causes and prevention
The exact cause of the virus’s appearance on the farm has not been determined. However, experts suggest that climate change and new wild bird migration routes may have played a role. Contact between wild and domestic birds is likely the starting point for the infection.
Authorities strongly urge residents and media representatives to avoid visiting the infected farm. Any unauthorized entry may lead to further spread of the virus. All sanitary procedures and interactions with affected animals are supervised by regional specialists and medical institutions.
Situation in Other Regions
Alongside the developments in Catalonia, new cases of avian flu are also being reported in other parts of the country. In particular, Madrid has identified around twenty outbreaks since September. As a result, restrictions on poultry farming have been introduced in several municipalities, and nearly three million laying hens were culled in November alone.
Since November last year, following warnings from European and national veterinary authorities, Spain has enacted enhanced biosecurity measures. These include mandatory indoor housing of poultry, strict control over movement of personnel and equipment, and regular disinfection of all poultry-related facilities.
Control and Recommendations
Regional authorities continue to keep the public informed about the situation and urge everyone to follow all guidelines. If new symptoms appear in domestic birds, immediate contact with veterinary services is recommended. All updates on further actions will be communicated to citizens as new information becomes available.
