Spain: 2025 H5N1 in wild birds

[Shiloh]

Source: https://laprensadelara.com/mundo/con...benito-espana/

Avian flu outbreak confirmed on a farm in Don Benito, Spain
As a preventative measure, the Regional Government of Extremadura has implemented restrictions in the Don Benito region, considered an affected area.
By Yoselyn Colmenarez
- May 25, 2025

The governing body of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, Spain, confirmed this Saturday, May 25, through the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Algete, the detection of the avian influenza virus in several geese found dead on a farm in the municipality of Don Benito, Badajoz, Spain. This is the first outbreak of avian influenza detected in wild birds in the region in 2025.

The virus subtype identified in the dead birds, found on the Doña Blanca farm, is H5N1. Authorities have emphasized that, so far, there is no evidence of outbreaks in poultry in the community.

They emphasized that it is important to highlight that H5N1 does not have a significant zoonotic capacity, which means that the possibility of transmission to humans is very low. However, it is recommended to minimize unnecessary contact with birds that show clinical symptoms or are found dead in the field.

Restrictions placed in Don Benito due to avian influenza

As a preventive measure, the Regional Government of Extremadura has implemented restrictions in the Don Benito region, considered an affected area. The presence of poultry or any other type of captive birds has been prohibited at livestock competitions, shows, exhibitions, and cultural celebrations. Likewise, any gathering of poultry or captive birds outdoors in the area has been banned. The governing body of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, Spain, confirmed this Saturday, May 25, through the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Algete, the detection of the avian influenza virus in several geese found dead on a farm in the municipality of Don Benito, Badajoz, Spain. This is the first outbreak of avian influenza detected in wild birds in the region in 2025.

[tetano]

Presence of the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus confirmed on a farm in Ahillones, Badajoz

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has activated the necessary protocols after confirming the presence of the Avian Influenza virus in a poultry farm in Ahillones, Badajoz.

The Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete, which is the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Spain, has verified the presence of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 in this establishment located in the region of Azuaga.

https://www.democrata.es/economia/presencia-virus-influenza-aviar-h5n1-confirmada-granja-ahillones-badajoz/

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6316

[Pathfinder]

/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Zamora
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Translation Google

The Regional Government confirms avian flu in tests carried out on ducks found dead in the area around Villafáfila, Zamora.

Following this confirmation, resulting from the implementation of the protocols of the Avian Influenza Surveillance Program, efforts to locate dead specimens are being intensified, and prevention, control, and surveillance efforts are being strengthened around the town of Villafáfila, Zamora.

August 8, 2025

Castile and León | Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Use Planning

At the end of July, up to eight ducks of different species were found dead near the town of Villafáfila, Zamora. Following established protocols for the appearance of possible diseases or poisoning in wildlife, the Zamora Territorial Environmental Service informed the heads of the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, so they could take samples for subsequent analysis.

Once analyzed and confirmed at the national reference laboratory in Algete, PCR testing is used to verify that the animals are positive for the avian influenza virus (H5N1).

Therefore, the Regional Government of Castile and León has strengthened the prevention, control, and monitoring of biosecurity measures applied to poultry farms in the Villafáfila area.

The circulation of avian influenza viruses is not a new phenomenon, as it is a disease with a global distribution, although the different strains are distributed heterogeneously. For this reason, Spain has a national risk-based surveillance program, which takes into account the high genetic variability of the virus and includes an active and passive surveillance system for both domestic and wild birds.

Human health

Although these situations may cause some alarm among the population, the regional government wishes to make it clear that this positive case does not pose any risk to public health, given that the H5N1 virus variant circulating in Europe this year does not have a significant capacity for transmission to humans, and that the pathogen cannot be transmitted through the consumption of cooked poultry, eggs, or products derived from these.

Recommendations
Regardless of this fact, and the fact that, according to animal health experts, the risk of contagion among workers exposed to sick animals is low, the Regional Government of Castile and León recommends intensifying biosecurity measures on poultry farms, immediately reporting any suspicions, and minimizing contact with wild birds that show symptoms or are dead to prevent spread.

https://comunicacion.jcyl.es/web/jcyl/Comunicacion/es/Plantilla100Detalle/1281372051501/NotaPrensa/1285548367530/Comunicacion