An outbreak of avian influenza detected in Getafe has raised concerns among experts and local residents. Following the deaths of hundreds of storks in various parts of Madrid, specialists concluded that the virus had spread among local birds rather than being introduced by migrating flocks. This conclusion was reached after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic strain of the virus in the dead birds.
It was previously assumed that the mass die-off could have been caused by birds arriving from northern Europe. However, analysis showed that most of the storks had long been living in the region and had not recently migrated. This disproves the theory of the virus being brought in from outside and points to internal transmission among local populations.
Virus Spread
The situation is further complicated by the emergence of new infection hotspots not only in Getafe but also in Boadilla del Monte, Arganda, and Rivas-Vaciamadrid. Laboratory tests conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that this is a highly pathogenic strain of the virus, capable of causing mass bird deaths within a short period.
Experts note that in recent weeks, no new cases of avian flu have been reported on farms. Among wild birds, however, the number of infected has increased. Particularly concerning is the fact that in the province of Toledo, a major outbreak involving more than 40 storks infected with the H5N1 strain was previously recorded. Since then, cases have only been observed in individual seabirds in Galicia and País Vasco, as well as in cranes in La Rioja.
Local populations
Experts emphasize that most migratory species arrived in Spain long ago, and Madrid is home to a stable population of storks that remain in the region year-round. This once again confirms that the virus has spread among local birds and was not brought in from outside. According to specialists, the infection may have come from sick individuals that were not detected in time.
The outbreak in Getafe has been the largest in recent times in terms of bird deaths. This raises concerns about further spread of the virus and the urgent need for measures to control the situation. It’s important to determine how the virus entered the population and why a mass die-off could not be prevented.
The need for an investigation
Experts insist on a thorough investigation into the causes of the incident. Particular attention is being paid to the Manzanares River, where dead birds were found. It is crucial to understand how the virus spread so rapidly and why initial tests identified a less dangerous strain that would not have caused such a large-scale die-off.
Specialists are demanding full transparency from regional authorities, including the publication of all data related to this incident. It is important not only to report the species and number of dead birds, but also to disclose the details of laboratory studies and describe exactly how the remains were disposed of. This will help assess the effectiveness of the response measures and prevent future outbreaks.
