Bird Flu Alarm in Spain: All Poultry Animals Will Be Kept Indoors

Bird Flu Alarm in Spain

Following the recent increase in bird flu cases across Europe, Spain is taking strict measures. The Ministry of Agriculture has announced that all poultry will be kept indoors in high-risk areas starting from November 10.

In addition to Spain, similar cases have been reported in countries such as Ireland, Germany, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and France. The ministries in these countries have mobilized in the fight against bird flu.

Germany is on Alert

This year, bird flu outbreaks have occurred in 15 of the 27 European Union member states, with a total of 688 outbreaks reported. In the same period last year, only 189 cases were encountered. Germany has become the country most affected by the outbreak with 58 outbreaks since August, and orders have been issued to confine poultry in some states.

Worrying Situation in Ireland

The Chairman of the National Poultry Committee of the Irish Farmers' Union, Nigel Sweetnam, stated that the first outbreak has been detected after three years, emphasizing that it has become mandatory to keep all poultry indoors. Sweetnam said, "The course of bird flu has completely changed. The situation is very, very concerning."

Mass Culling in the Netherlands

France has announced that the risk level for poultry farms nationwide is "high." Moreover, the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture reported that after an outbreak on a poultry farm last month, 71,000 birds were culled.

A Global Threat

The Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Beth Bechdol, stated at a forum held in Brazil, "Bird flu is no longer a local threat; it is becoming a global problem," highlighting the importance of international cooperation.