The Madrid authorities have decided to extend special sanitary measures across the entire city after a peacock infected with bird flu was discovered in one of the capital’s best-known parks, El Retiro (El Retiro). This incident has prompted tighter monitoring of domestic and wild bird populations, as well as the introduction of new restrictions that will affect both farmers and ordinary residents.
The outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus in the region began back in September, when the first cases were detected among wild geese in the Andalucía park (Andalucía) in Alcobendas (Alcobendas). Shortly thereafter, similar cases were identified in the northern districts of the capital, and in October the virus was found at a poultry farm in Valdemoro (Valdemoro), where chickens became ill. Within a month, the infection had spread to several municipalities: Móstoles (Móstoles), Alcorcón (Alcorcón), Leganés (Leganés), Fuenlabrada (Fuenlabrada), and also to private farms in Torrejón de Velasco (Torrejón de Velasco) and Ciempozuelos (Ciempozuelos).
Although the risk of human infection with this strain is minimal, and cooked chicken meat and eggs pose no danger, the virus spreads rapidly among birds and causes mass die-offs. That is why officials have decided not to limit themselves to localized measures, but instead to implement unified rules for all of Madrid.
What is prohibited and which measures have been introduced
Under the new rules, it is now prohibited to keep poultry outdoors or to raise ducks and geese together with other species. Water for drinking may not be taken from reservoirs accessible to wild birds. All farms raising chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds must follow strict disinfection protocols and protect water sources.
Special attention is paid to preventing contact between domestic and wild birds. The use of ducks, geese, swans, and other members of the Anseriformes and Charadriiformes orders (such as gulls and sandpipers) as hunting decoys is banned. In addition, throughout the region, exhibitions, fairs, cultural events, and other mass gatherings involving domestic birds are prohibited until the end of November 2025.
Impact on the city and farmers
The introduction of new restrictions has already raised concerns among private farm owners and organizers of traditional events. Many farmers are having to reconsider how they keep their birds in order to comply with the new requirements. City residents used to seeing peacocks and geese roaming freely in parks may now notice fewer birds—some have been temporarily isolated to prevent further spread of the virus.
Authorities emphasize that all measures are temporary and will be reviewed as the epidemiological situation stabilizes. For now, sanitary protocols will remain in effect until November 30, 2025, to minimize risks for poultry farming and the urban environment as much as possible.
