Catalonia has reported its first highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu case of 2025. The virus was detected in a dead stork found in the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà natural park, located in the municipality of Castelló d’Empúries (Girona province, Alt Empordà region).
According to the regional agriculture department, this is the first confirmed case of avian flu among wild birds in Catalonia this year. Authorities emphasize it is an isolated incident: no other sick or dead birds have been found in the park or elsewhere in the region.
Experts stress that the risk to the public is extremely low. Inspections confirmed that poultry farms in the area where the virus was found have not been affected. Farmers continue to follow enhanced biosecurity measures, allowing the situation to remain under control.
The case was detected as part of a passive surveillance program for wild and domestic birds, carried out by environmental services, veterinary specialists, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. Authorities urge residents to report any dead or sick birds without touching them and to immediately contact emergency services to arrange for collection and disposal.
Last year, only one case of avian influenza was recorded in Catalonia—found in a seagull in November in the municipality of Sant Esteve Sesrovires (Barcelona province). In 2023, three cases were also detected in sea birds in Alt Empordà, two of which were in the same Castelló d’Empúries.
In 2022, dead storks infected with the virus were also found in Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. In 2021, the only outbreak of avian influenza in Catalonia was recorded in this same natural park—at that time, the virus was detected in three storks and one wild goose.
Although sanitary regulations do not require a mandatory quarantine, control zones with a radius of up to 3 km have been established in the area where the virus was detected, and surveillance zones up to 10 km. Veterinary services, together with environmental agents, are inspecting all poultry farms within these zones to ensure biosafety measures are in place and to continue monitoring the situation.
No restrictions were imposed on the movement of birds or related products in the municipality or its surroundings, as no threat of the virus spreading to farms has been identified.
According to Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, since the start of 2025, 17 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been registered among wild birds across the country. Cases have been reported in Andalucía, Extremadura, the Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia, and Catalonia. In addition, two outbreaks were detected at poultry farms in Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, and another among captive birds in the Basque Country.
In August, nine new cases among wild birds were confirmed in Asturias, Catalonia, Galicia, Extremadura, and the Basque Country. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to remain vigilant when encountering suspicious cases among birds.
