Spain: 2025 H5N1 in wild birds

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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.

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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/

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

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[translated, emphasis is mine]
Publicado: lunes, 4 agosto 2025

The outbreak detected in el País Vasco is the first outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza reported in Spain in captive birds in 2025.

The veterinary authorities of the Basque Country reported today, August 4, 2025, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1, in captive birds at a wildlife recovery center located in the municipality of Gorliz, in the province of Vizcaya. This center housed 132 birds of various species, as well as other animals, including mammals. This is the first outbreak of HPAI H5N1 reported in captive birds in Spain in 2025.

Suspicion arose on July 11, after a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) was found dying that same day on the coast of Santurtzi, in the province of Vizcaya, arriving at the recovery center. It died the following day. The Official Veterinary Services (SVO) first sent samples from the gull to the regional laboratory (Neiker). These samples, after testing positive by generic PCR, were forwarded for confirmation and pathogenicity index detection to the Algete Central Veterinary Laboratory, the national reference laboratory (LNR) for the disease. They tested positive by PCR for H5N1 HPAI.

Following confirmation of the positive case in the samples taken from the gull and its notification as an outbreak in wild birds in Santurtzi (Vizcaya), the SVO of the Basque Country ordered the preventive culling of the 17 captive birds living within the same aquatic bird aviary at the center where the positive gull was housed upon arrival. These samples also obtained positive PCR results for H5N1 HPAI at the LNR in Algete, confirming the circulation of the virus in the center, which has been officially notified as an outbreak in captive birds.

https://www.diarioveterinario.com/t/...20de%20Vizcaya.

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/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

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translated
Extreme caution urged in the Basque Country after detecting cases of bird flu
2 hours ago
The Basque Government has recommended that Bizkaia's city councils strengthen prevention and protection measures in response to the detection of cases of avian flu in seagulls.

The Basque Government has issued a recommendation to Bizkaia's city councils, especially coastal municipalities, to strengthen prevention and protection measures for cleaning workers following the detection of avian flu cases in wild birds, specifically seagulls, in recent weeks. While emphasizing that there is no cause for alarm for citizens, the Executive Branch focuses on the occupational health of those who come into direct contact with waste or animal remains found on public roads.

On August 5, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia reported the detection of avian flu in yellow-legged gulls collected in Santurtzi and Erandio, following analyses conducted by the Gorliz Wildlife Recovery Center in collaboration with Neiker and the national reference laboratory in Algete, Madrid. A day later, the institution confirmed that the birds had to be euthanized and activated a 10-kilometer surveillance radius affecting 17 municipalities, including Derio, Loiu, Getxo, Plentzia, and Mungia. In these towns, poultry farms were placed under lockdown as a precautionary measure.

At this time, the Basque Government has focused its attention on another aspect: prevention for the most exposed groups, such as municipal cleaning crews. For its part, the Department of Health has emphasized that, although the transmission of avian flu to humans occurs rarely, it is important to apply preventive measures in activities that involve contact with birds, whether sick or dead.

https://www.antena3.com/noticias/salud/piden-extremar-precaucion-pais-vasco-detectar-casos-gripe-aviar_2025090168b5653b3496e7687afca104.html

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The strange death of 62 geese in a Seville park has put the spotlight on the maintenance and control of wildlife in its green spaces.

Initial analyses rule out water contamination, and the mayor of Seville suggests an outbreak of avian disease, pending final results.

Eva Saiz
Seville - SEP 01, 2025 - 08:54 EDT

The appearance of up to 62 dead geese in the lagoon of Seville's Tamarguillo Park has put the City Council on alert, closing the 100-hectare site as a precaution. It has sent samples of both the birds and the water to various laboratories to confirm the cause of these sudden deaths, along with necropsies. This anomalous succession of deaths has also put a spotlight on the maintenance and oversight the city government provides to urban parks and gardens and the wildlife that lives there. "We have been warning for some time about the lack of conservation and oversight of this and other parks in the city," emphasizes Ricardo Molinero, president of the Association for the Protection and Promotion of Wildlife in Tamarguillo Park Alcosa.


This Saturday, the City Council confirmed the appearance of more dead geese in the Tamarguillo Park lagoon, adding to the twenty or so specimens found in the same condition over the past week, forcing the closure of the park to the public as a precaution. A total of 62 dead geese have been recorded, although some ducks have also been found, which also nest in the area, although in much smaller numbers, according to Molinero. The dead Tamarguillo geese were added to the five ducklings and a pigeon that were found floating lifeless in the Lotus Fountain, a pond in María Luisa Park. "From the very beginning, a monitoring protocol has been activated, which includes the collection of specimens, water analysis, and necropsies to rigorously determine the causes, while we continue to feed all the birds in the park," emphasized the Municipal Delegate for Parks and Gardens, Evelia Rincón, over the weekend.

These analyses are being conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, the University of Córdoba, and accredited veterinary clinics. Municipal sources have confirmed to this newspaper that preliminary analyses of the water, both from the Tamarguillo Park lagoon and the María Luisa Park pond, rule out the possibility that the birds' deaths were due to poor quality. "There are no traces of heavy metals or positive results, nor have cyanobacteria been found, and the organic matter is at levels suitable for the animals," these sources state, emphasizing that this is a preliminary report and that they must await the final results, as well as the results of the necropsies.

The Seville College of Veterinarians, which collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture, is one of the entities performing necropsies to rule out "any disease that is anthopozoonosis," meaning one that is transmitted from humans to birds, such as avian influenza, for example, as its president, Santiago Sánchez-Apellániz, explains to this newspaper. "In birds, it is very difficult to make a diagnosis based on necrosis alone, because the symptoms are always similar: ruffled feathers, fever, loss of laying eggs, loss of food, and they usually lead to sudden deaths," the veterinarian explains. Until a differential diagnosis is made, it will not be possible to determine what disease, if any, may have caused this concentration of deceased geese.

Over the past week, various hypotheses have been considered, such as a lack of oxygen in the lagoon water due to the heat and the accumulation of excrement in the depths from a lack of regular cleaning. "In other years, we've seen many dead fish come to the surface because they lack oxygen from animal excrement. The high temperatures, which this summer exceeded 40ºC, cause these gases to evaporate," Molinero says. The City Council ruled out this hypothesis from the outset in the case of the geese, understanding that, if this were the case, other species, such as fish, frogs, and turtles, would have also died, but that hasn't been the case. The Mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, noted during an interview on the program Hoy por Hoy Sevilla on Cadena Se r, that everything seems to indicate an outbreak of a disease typical of this type of animal.

If the laboratory results ultimately confirm the presence of influenza, the president of the Seville College of Veterinarians calls for calm. "We know this virus is circulating in wild animals; we have an outbreak in Huelva that has already affected the Sevillian town of Aznalcázar. There are many outbreaks of avian influenza that have already been declared throughout the country; the important thing is that they have not been transmitted to livestock farms," he explains.

No census, no food plan, and no surveillance

PACMA also prefers to be cautious and await the results of the necropsies and other analyses, but they draw attention to a long history of lack of attention and oversight of urban parks by the Seville City Council . "Last year, there was also a very high mortality rate of birds in the Lotus Fountain, a pond in María Luisa Park, where around 13 birds were found, including chicks and adult ducks, pigeons, and even a baby swan," recalls Clara Márquez, provincial coordinator in Seville for the animal rights group. "The City Council also said they had analyzed the water and that the problem wasn't there, but we haven't been able to access that report," she warns.

Márquez draws attention to the lack of a comprehensive plan to address the maintenance and monitoring of Seville's urban parks and the species that live there. "There is no municipal census of birds and other species; there is also no feeding protocol, and the city's animals are the municipal responsibility, regardless of whether they are protected by law," warns the Pacma official, who also points out the lack of awareness among the public who feed the birds, without truly knowing whether what they are giving them could be harmful to their health. "But it is also a fact that the City Council does not feed the animals," she adds.

Pacma also calls for the appointment of a specialist from the Parks and Gardens Department to be specifically responsible for monitoring the needs of the wildlife residing in urban parks. "It's an ecosystem within the city," emphasizes Márquez, who also calls for the installation of natural water treatment plants in the lagoons of the city's green spaces, albeit in the medium and long term.

Molinero emphasizes this greater need for the council to better maintain urban parks in Tamarguillo. "Rats are running rampant, attracted by the barbecues that are regularly held, and there's also a large proliferation of rabbits and hares that need to be contained, otherwise they can also spread disease," he warns. "As there isn't even basic maintenance, these circumstances can't be addressed," he warns.

The president of the Association for the Protection of Wildlife in Tamarguillo Park, a forested area and a green lung in the Alcosa district, also calls for increased surveillance to prevent vandalism. "You only see one patrol car go by, and you don't see anything else go by," he complains. City Hall emphasizes that since February, surveillance has been reinforced in 14 parks in the city, adding two additional patrols between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., during weekends and holidays, in addition to the five patrols and 10 night watchmen currently on duty between 9 p.m. and 8:30 a.m.

https://elpais.com/espana/andalucia/2025-09-01/la-extrana-muerte-de-62-gansos-en-un-parque-de-sevilla-pone-el-foco-en-el-mantenimiento-y-el-control-de-la-fauna-de-sus-espacios-verdes.html

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Seville closes Tamarguillo Park due to an outbreak of bird flu that has already killed 68 geese.

Analysis has confirmed the disease in birds and further studies are awaited to determine the level of pathogenicity and virulence.


Teresa López PavónSeville
Seville
UpdatedTuesday, September 2, 2025 - 1:55 PM


Up to 68 geese have died in recent weeks in Seville's Tamarguillo Park, in the eastern district of the city, near the Alcosa neighborhood. The cause, according to the City Council on Tuesday, is an outbreak of avian flu, confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture's laboratory in Algete (Madrid). The laboratory is conducting new analyses to determine the virus's pathogenicity and the type of variant, in order to assess its risk and virulence.

The Seville City Council is awaiting these results in order to implement the necessary protocols, in agreement with the Ministries of Environment, Health, and Agriculture, it has announced.

The first dead birds appeared exactly one week ago, and six more dead geese were added this Tuesday, bringing the total number of dead birds to 68.

Since the mortality became known, the City Council decreed the preventive closure of Tamarguillo Park and sent samples of the pond water and necropsies to several official bodies and universities. According to the municipal government, this has ruled out, according to the municipal government, the possibility of the water being the source of the birds' fatal disease, "since no heavy metals, pesticide residues, or multi-residue phytosanitary products have been detected." "Nor have any signs of cyanobacteria been observed a priori, and the level of organic matter is within adequate levels."

In any case, the results of the autopsy are still pending, and will take about 20 days.

The Ministry of Agriculture was also asked to collaborate in analyzing the samples to confirm or rule out diseases such as avian flu or Newcastle disease.

The appearance of the first dead birds prompted complaints from the opposition, who pointed to a lack of maintenance and oxygenation of the parks' waters as a possible cause of the epidemic. However, according to the municipal government, preliminary results have ruled out that hypothesis.

Even so, the City Council has announced the launch of a specific contract for the management of urban wildlife in all of the city's parks. This contract will now be incorporated into the regular planning already in place to assess the status of trees and green areas. Never before have these controls been systematized, the local government notes. "This is a commitment to the safety, health, and well-being of citizens, as well as to the protection of wildlife in public spaces," the council reported.

In the latest report published by the Ministry of Health on the avian flu situation in Spain, dated July 15, 2025, it was considered that "the overall risk of zoonotic influenza is very low for the general population and low for people with occupational exposure, as long as precautions and prevention measures for zoonotic influenza are observed."

In recent years, there have been periods of intense circulation of the HPAI A(H5N1) virus in wild birds in Europe, producing cases in domestic birds and even mammals, with many people exposed to sick animals and contaminated environments. However, no cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) have been confirmed in humans, the report highlights.

"Human cases infected with this virus globally are generally sporadic cases in people exposed to sick animals or contaminated environments without protection, and they have not produced secondary cases, neither in those who acquired the disease through contact with birds nor those who acquired it through contact with mammals."

Historically, Spain has had a very low number of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) outbreaks compared to the figures reported in northern and central Europe. Since March 2023, Spain has maintained its status as a country free of notifiable avian influenza, as established in the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) code.

In the 2024-2025 season, fewer outbreaks have been detected in birds compared to previous seasons, and so far, no cases have been detected in domestic birds, cattle, or other domestic animals, the Ministry noted in this latest report.

https://www.elmundo.es/andalucia/2025/09/02/68b6d98921efa00b298b4596.html

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The Health Department will monitor people exposed to the geese killed by avian flu in Tamarguillo.

The Ministry appeals for calm because the risk to the population is very low.

Telepress

agency
September 2, 2025, 5:32 PM

SEVILLE, 2 (EUROPA PRESS)

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs will monitor people exposed to the dead geese in Tamarguillo Park, Seville, as a result of an outbreak of avian flu, and will identify those found in this situation, according to sources from the Ministry told Europa Press, although the risk to the public is considered "very low." This comes after the City Council reported the results of tests conducted following the appearance of these birds.

To monitor this Notifiable Disease, the Andalusian Regional Government has both animal and human surveillance systems, "in order to quickly detect outbreaks of influenza and implement appropriate control measures." In the case of human surveillance, this consists, among other measures, of the identification, evaluation, and ten-day medical follow-up of people exposed to sick or dead birds.

The Andalusian Regional Government recommends that if they find sick or dead birds in the same area, "they should not touch or handle them and should inform the local council."

Furthermore, those responsible for handling sick animals or carcasses must also follow certain recommendations: use personal protective equipment (gloves and masks) and get vaccinated against seasonal flu annually, the same sources add.

Avian influenza viruses frequently circulate among birds and can occasionally be transmitted to people who come into contact with sick birds or in contaminated environments. In this regard, the Board recalls, 985 cases of the H5N1 virus have been reported worldwide since 2003.

The clinical picture resembles seasonal flu and can range from asymptomatic or mild to more severe cases. Person-to-person transmission has not been reported.

https://www.teleprensa.com/articulo/sevilla/salud-hara-seguimiento-personas-expuestas-gansos-muertos-tamarguillo-gripe-aviar/202509021532282206705.html

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Wednesday, 3 September 2025
Park in capital of Costa del Sol closed to public while death of around 20 birds is investigated

The city council took the precautionary measure after local residents alerted them that of a number of ducks, coots and seagulls had been found dead at the weekend. It follows an outbreak of bird flu that was recently detected in Seville

The death of around 20 birds in Huelin park in Malaga, including ducks, coots and seagulls, detected last weekend by local residents, has set off alarm bells at the city council. It announced today (Wednesday) that the park is to be closed to the public as a precautionary measure, in case it could be a case of avian flu, similar to that detected in recent days in the Parque del Tamarguillo in Seville.

According to the council, workers will also reinforce surveillance in the rest of the green areas of the city where there are bodies of water frequented by wild and migratory birds in case the deaths of these animals could be due to "an episode of avian influenza".

Officials have sent samples of the dead birds and the lake water to the laboratory of the Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre de la Junta de Andalucía, from where they have been forwarded to the Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia para la Influenza Aviar (Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria de Algete), part of Spain's Ministry of Agriculture. According to city hall staff, the results of these analyses are not yet known.

Temporary closure
"At the moment, no new cases have been registered in the Huelin park or in any other public park with ponds. However, in view of the Junta de Andalucía concerns and the detection of outbreaks of avian influenza in other wetlands, such as the one confirmed in the Tamarguillo park in Seville, the council has decided to take precautions. It has informed the companies awarded the maintenance and conservation services contract for the city's green zones of the need to reinforce vigilance in all wetlands as a preventive measure, as well as temporarily closing the Huelin park", the council explained.

continued: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/...154324-nt.html

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September 3, 2025
AVIAN FLU FEARS IN ANDALUCIA: DEAD BIRDS TURN UP IN MALAGA PARK DAYS AFTER OUTBREAK IN SEVILLA

HUELIN Park in Malaga has been closed after around 20 dead birds were discovered over the weekend.

The discovery has sparked fears of an avian flu outbreak just days after the disease was confirmed in Sevilla.

The closure only came into effect on Wednesday after the discovery of dead ducks, coots and seagulls in the popular park’s lake area several days earlier.

Samples have been sent for testing with results expected in the coming days.

Health authorities have now issued protocols for anyone who may have come into contact with infected birds.

People exposed must monitor for fever symptoms for 10 days, undergo PCR testing on the fifth day even without symptoms, and immediately contact health services if they develop flu-like illness.

The move follows warnings from Andalucia’s environmental department after avian flu was confirmed at Sevilla’s Tamarguillo Park on Tuesday.

https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2025/09/03/avian-flu-fears-dead-birds-malaga-park-sevilla-outbreak/

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https://andaluciatoday.com/avian_flu..._deaths_in_sev%20illea_s_tamarguillo_park_1000233272-a.html

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[translated, emphasis is mine]
CANAL SUR MEDIA | September 4, 2025

The Seville City Council ordered this Thursday the preventive closure of the gardens of the Real Alcázar and Miraflores Park after several dead birds were found in both locations. The closure of these parks follows Tamarguillo Park, also in Seville, where nearly 70 geese have already died from avian flu, and Huelin Park in Malaga, which has been closed since Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health has activated a surveillance protocol for several people who were in direct contact with the dead animals found in Seville's Tamarguillo Park.

And in Malaga, the City Council closed Huelin Park this Wednesday, where some 20 dead birds have also been found, although the cause has not yet been determined.

Despite the appearance of these cases in different parts of Andalusia, experts urge calm and emphasize the difficulty of the virus spreading between humans, even though contact with sick or dead animals does occur.

The president of the Córdoba College of Veterinarians, José María de la Torre, affirms that the cases of avian flu detected in Spain are under control. He emphasizes that the risk of infection between animals and people is very low, and in no cases is it spread between humans.

Although de la Torre acknowledges that the concern lies in the possibility that the virus could mutate.

This expert also assures that Andalusia has prevention protocols to control possible outbreaks. Protocols that specifically monitor poultry farms.

Prevention is key to preventing avian influenza from becoming a public health problem.

https://www.canalsur.es/noticias/andalucia/sevilla-cierra-tambien-los-jardines-del-alcazar-por-el-brote-de-gripe-aviar/2193945.html

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Please see https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...14#post1018814

MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL
OF AGRO-FOOD PRODUCTION HEALTH AND ANIMAL WELFARE
SUBDIRECTORATE-GENERAL
OF ANIMAL HEALTH, HYGIENE, AND TRACEABILITY

DETECTION OF AN OUTBREAK OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI) H5N1 ON A POULTRY FARM IN HUELVA

(04/09/2025)

The veterinary authorities of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Government of Andalusia) today reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), serotype H5N1, on a poultry farm located in the municipality of El Cerro de Andévalo, in the region of Andévalo Oriental (Valverde del Camino), province of Huelva, Andalusia.

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translated
05 de septiembre 2025
Excerpts:

The bird flu outbreak in Seville has already claimed nearly 100 dead birds, but not all of the city's parks will be closed

Nearly 100 birds, 97 to be precise, have died in Seville in the last week as a result of avian flu. This figure may increase when the results of the deaths of an adult female peahen and a duck found yesterday in the gardens of the Real Alcázar are known. This was confirmed by Seville City Council this morning. Breaking down the figure, 73 were found in Tamarguillo Park, four in Miraflores Park, and around twenty at the Miraflores Environmental Education Center (CEAM). Despite the data, and in order to avoid "creating public alarm," the city parks where no deaths have occurred—such as Alamillo Park and Príncipes Park—will remain open. However, the closure of Tamarguillo Park, Miraflores Park, and the gardens of the Real Alcázar remains in place. Also, the provisional suspension of the concerts of the "Nights in the Gardens of the Alcázar" series is in place. Regarding the characteristics of the virus found in dead birds in the capital's parks, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has indicated that it is the H5N1 subtype, one of the most contagious—through the digestive tract and secretions such as saliva and feces. The municipal government has been clear about the severity of the virus: "It is quite highly pathogenic, which is why a national outbreak of wild birds has been declared here in Seville." This means that transmission among birds is very high, a fact that is further aggravated considering that we are immersed in one of the two annual migration periods, specifically the one that runs from August to October.

"This is an animal health issue," said Evelia Rincón, the delegate for Parks and Gardens, who emphasized that "it's very difficult for a person to be infected... they would have to be living with the animals or be a veterinarian who is in constant contact." Although it's something "we shouldn't worry about," she noted, "we are monitoring it."

Analysis Results
The analyses carried out at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, located in the Madrid municipality of Algete, have already released the initial results regarding the outbreaks in the city. The geese in Tamarguillo Park showed "a high degree of uniqueness" after cluck and tracheal tests. However, the one that died in María Luisa Park has yielded "inconclusive" results. This means that "the bird could have had avian flu at some point, but did not die from the disease." The results of the nearly 30 in Miraflores Park and those that died in the gardens of the Real Alcázar are still awaited.
For the time being, Rincón has stated that there are "no further deaths" to regret, either in María Luisa Park or in the gardens of the Real Alcázar. Regarding the deceased animals at the Environmental Education Center (CEAM), he stated that the birds have already been removed and the area has been marked.

The Local Police "have not been informed about the response protocol"
On the other hand, "the Seville Local Police have not been informed about the response protocol regarding the deaths or illness of these birds in the parks," stated Santiago Raposo, CSIF delegate of the Seville Local Police, who denounced that the officers feel "helpless" and hope that the Seville City Council or the Local Police Headquarters "will publish this protocol as soon as possible and tell us how we should respond to any request from a citizen."

https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sevil...004704472.html

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Translated
5 septiembre 2025

Andalusia intensifies protective measures against avian flu outbreaks in urban parks and poultry farms

Excerpt:
The Andalusian Regional Government maintains its animal and human surveillance protocol. The Health Service is conducting PCR tests and ten-day follow-up on people who have been in contact with dead birds, while the Agriculture and Environment Departments are coordinating the removal of specimens and necropsies. Authorities emphasize that the risk to the general population is "very low," but insist on not handling dead birds and notifying local governments of any findings.

https://gacetamedica.com/investigacion/andalucia-medidas-proteccion-brotes-gripe-aviar-parques-granjas/

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ABC
Seville City

Analysis of the avian flu outbreak in Seville confirms its "fairly high" virulence.

Seville City Council rules out closing all of the city's parks "to avoid alarming people," as the PSOE has requested, and points out that the disease's transmission to humans is "very difficult."

Mario Daza
05/09/2025 at 1:16 p.m.

The outbreak of avian flu that has affected the city of Seville for just over a week has already claimed the lives of more than a hundred geese , which have recently been found dead in the lagoons of the Tamarguillo and Miraflores parks and in the gardens of the Alcázar . For this reason, the Seville City Council has decreed the preventive closure of these three spaces, to which public access will continue to be denied until the real causes of the deaths are clarified. For now, and as confirmed this Friday by the Delegate for Parks and Gardens, Evelia Rincón, the initial analyses have confirmed that the disease has "quite high" levels of pathogenicity , meaning that both its virulence and degree of contagion are high.

The government of José Luis Sanz has also reported that this has led to the declaration of a national outbreak of avian flu in Seville , making it clear that this is a case affecting "wild birds." Despite this, and the fact that the number of dead geese continues to rise—just today, the death of two more specimens in the lagoon of Tamarguillo Park was reported— the Seville City Council has called for calm among the public. "We will continue working, and the Andalusian Regional Government will show us the way, but we must remember that contagion to humans is very difficult , and despite this, we are monitoring those who have been in contact with the animals during this time," explained Rincón.

For now, and according to City Council data, the greatest impact of the outbreak is occurring in Tamarguillo Park , where 73 dead geese have been counted in just over a week. The other area being affected is Miraflores Park, where four animals have died, in addition to the other 20 found at the Environmental Education Center and removed by gardeners working in the area. In addition, some deaths have also been reported in the gardens of the Real Alcázar , also caused by avian flu. Rincón reported that the studies carried out have confirmed that the ducks that have appeared dead in María Luisa Park did not die from this disease . "The analysis has been inconclusive, and although we do not rule out that they may have had the virus, it does not appear to have been the cause of what happened."

The government of José Luis Sanz has insisted that it is in constant contact with the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Health of the Andalusian Regional Government, which have taken charge of managing this outbreak of avian flu in Seville, as indicated by the protocols. In fact, a meeting of the committee created to facilitate coordination between administrations was held this afternoon. However, the delegate has ruled out, for the moment, the closure of all the city's parks, as for now "there is no reason to do so." In this regard, Rincón assured that "we do not want to alert everyone by closing all the parks" and that they will continue working with "the same seriousness and rigor." However, "if we detect any other outbreak in another area of the city, we will act accordingly."

https://www.abc.es/sevilla/ciudad/analisis-brote-gripe-aviar-sevilla-confirman-virulencia-20250905131622-nts.html

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See also:

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/europe/h5n1-tracking/spain/1018760-spain-andalucia-is-monitoring-4-5-people-after-%E2%80%98unprecedented%E2%80%99-outbreak-in-dead-birds-at-parquet-del-tamarguillo-in-sevilla