Spain orders poultry indoors as bird flu spreads

Summary

• Spain will confine poultry indoors from Nov 10 due to rising avian influenza cases across Europe.
• ADIS recorded 139 outbreaks in European poultry farms between July 1 and Nov 5, including 14 in Spain.
• Free-range poultry farming will be banned in high-risk zones, mirroring restrictions in the UK and France.

MADRID - Spain will confine poultry indoors in several regions starting Nov 10 in response to escalating cases of avian influenza across Europe, the agriculture ministry said.

“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,” it said in a Nov 5 statement.

ADIS, a Europe-wide system that tracks infectious animal diseases, has recorded 139 outbreaks in European poultry farms between July 1 and Nov 5, including 14 in Spain.

A ministry map identified the highest-risk areas in the south-west, central, and northern regions.

Free-range poultry farming will be banned in these zones starting Nov 10, save for exceptional cases.

No end date has been set.

The virus can spread through bird droppings and saliva, as well as contaminated food and water, prompting concern among farmers and health authorities.

The UK and France have also imposed similar restrictions amid rising avian flu cases. AFP