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Spain Loses Avian Flu-Free Status as Early H5N1 Wave Hits Farms and Wild Birds

Officials say the public risk remains very low despite targeted closures, culling, heightened surveillance.

Overview

  • Since July 18, authorities have logged 31 H5N1 detections in wild birds and four confirmed outbreaks in poultry, ending two years of official freedom from the disease.
  • The farm cases span Castilla-La Mancha (Toledo and Guadalajara), Extremadura and Andalucía, with culling, disinfection and control zones in place at affected sites.
  • Seville temporarily closed several parks, including María Luisa, as carcass removal and testing protocols were activated, and Andalusian guidance urges avoiding contact and feeding and reporting clusters of dead birds.
  • Hong Kong suspended imports of poultry meat and eggs from affected provinces, reflecting immediate trade repercussions as investigations continue, including a possible human exposure linked to Doñana under review.
  • Experts foresee more detections during autumn migration, while health officials emphasize risk concentrated in exposed workers and report no human cases in Spain since 2020.