Known as avian flu It has had Europe on alert for months when an increase in infected poultry as wild birds was reported. The recent increase in the outbreaks of the disease in both France and Portugal has increased the risk in Spain, leading communities such as Galicia to ban outdoor breeding of chickens in 35 localities as a preventive measure.
The French authorities have reported in recent weeks up to 119 cases in poultry farms in the Landes area, in the south-west of the country, thus doubling the cases in just a few days since the beginning of the year. Portugal has also reported several outbreaks in different farms, the last one in a turkey farm in Óbidos.
As it is a serious illness highly contagiousWith the power to spread at high speed among animals, preventive action measures are key to curbing a possible new epidemic. Last December the Ministry of Agriculture raised the level of risk of bird flu in the areas of special surveillance. That is why the Xunta de Galicia has decided for the moment ban outdoor poultry farming in high-risk areas to limit possible contact with wild birds as much as possible.
Given the appearance of some affected wild animals in Lleida, also the Valencian Community It has been put on alert and has decided to apply protection measures, since it is a region very exposed to the migratory routes of wild birds and with a large presence of wetlands frequented by these animals, such as Albufera. The extraordinary biosecurity measures adopted also include the prohibition of free-range poultry farming or their display at livestock events or fairs.
What is bird flu
Avian flu is caused by the family virus Orthomyxoviridae, of the genus Influenzavirus A and B, of which there are several strains and are classified according to their pathogenicity. The most serious strain (HPAI) causes high mortality Among the affected animals and one of its great risks is how quickly it is spread from one bird to another, both wild and free-range, and can infect other animal species.
It can lead to death or force sacrifice thousands of animals of farms and poultry farms, as happened in the United States a few years ago. Although in principle it does not usually infect humans, there have been some cases of sporadic infections in various countries. The virus spreads through the saliva, nasal secretions and feces of affected birds, and can be spread by coming into contact with surfaces or water contaminated with the virus.
Due to the serious health and economic consequences that an epidemic of this disease can cause, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is included in European legislation within the notifiable diseases, in such a way that the member countries can apply with sufficient time preventive protection measures.
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