Spain’s Agriculture Ministry has ordered a preventive measure that bans raising poultry outdoors as of Monday 10 November. No end date has been set.
The aim is to curb the spread of bird flu, cases of which have been increasingly detected across Europe, as well as several new cases detected locally. This was announced by the ministry on 6 November.
The ministry cited a growing number of infections among wild and domestic birds in northern and central Europe.
‘Over the past weeks, we have observed an increase in the number of cases detected, both in wild and domestic birds, indicating a worsening situation,’ the ministry said.
Adis, a Europe-wide system that tracks infectious animal diseases, has recorded 139 outbreaks in European poultry farms between 1 July and 5 November, including 14 in Spain.
As of Monday, the following measures will be implemented: ban on free-range poultry methods; ban on water sources shared with wild birds; and ban on co-breeding of ducks and geese with other species.
Similar regulations have recently been adopted in Ireland, France and the UK, given the increase of cases with the return of migratory birds to Europe for the winter season.
The bird flu virus can spread through bird droppings and saliva, as well as contaminated food and water, prompting concern among farmers and health authorities.
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