Spanish Government orders preventive measures to prevent avian influenza

Inview of the possible deterioration of the epidemiological situation of avian influenza, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has ordered the adoption of preventive measures to prevent contagion and prevent the spread of the virus, which will enter into force from next Monday, 10 November.

The Ministry has explained that the number of cases of avian influenza detected in both wild birds and nursery birds has increased in recent weeks and months, as in the rest of Europe, in the Iberian peninsula.

The most difficult situationis in Germany, where 59 spotlights have been recorded since 1 July, and just this week the authorities in the Vechta region of Lower Saxony have ordered the slaughter of 175,000 birds due to a major outbreak of avian influenza. This region is the largest poultry producer in Germany. In Lower Saxony there are 106 million birds per year, which have already been slaughtered this year.

The concern is such that, with two cases detected in Ireland this week, the Irish Government has ordered the confinement of domestic and breeding birds throughout the country from 10 November.

Although the situation in Poland (17 outbreaks), Italy (16) and Spain (14) is more tender than in Germany, the authorities are already choosing to deepen preventive measures. Although in the case of Germany the focus of the problem is on nurseries, the flow of migratory birdsin general throughout Europe and the fall in temperatures that favour the survival of the virus herald an increase in cases.

What are the measures and where will they be implemented?

In view of this situation, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will enter into force Regulation APA/2442/2006 establishing specific measures for the protection of avian influenza from 10 November.

These protection measures shall apply to the Special Risk and Surveillance Areas of the Spanish State as a whole, which do not exist in the CSC, insofar as there are no wetlands or large nurseries.

In Navarre aldiz, there are areas where these measures should be applied, specifically inthe vicinity of the rice fields of  Arguedas  (which affects the municipalities of Arguedas and Tudela), Lake of Pitillas , Zúñigan and Los Arcos.

In all these hazard areas, the use of antserifome and charadriiforme birds as amu, as well as the breeding of ducks and geese together with other species of domestic birds, shall be prohibited .

It shall also be prohibited to breed poultry in the open air. However, where this is not possible, the competent authority may authorise the maintenance of birds in these conditions, provided that appropriate protective measures are taken, such as the installation of bird cloths or other elements preventing the entry ofwild birds. In any case, the food and water of birds must be placed inside the facilities or in a shelter, so as to avoid contact with wild birds and with food or water for domestic birds.

It shallalso be prohibited to supply water from reservoirs where wild birds may enter to domestic birds, unless it has previously been treated to eliminate possible avian influenza viruses.

Where it is necessary for the welfare of animals to be placed outside, the manger shall be properly protected from the arrival of wild birds.

Lastly, the association of domestic birds or other species of birds in captivity in animal concentration centres covered by Law 08/2003 shall be prohibited , including livestock competitions, exhibitions, exhibitions and cultural celebrations, as well as any concentration of poultry or captive outdoor birds.

In addition to these measures, depending on the circumstances, each community may take additional measures to avoid risks.

"Tranquility and attention"

Spain 's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, called this Friday for "calm," but also for "attention," which could lead to avian influenza in the face of risks and damage and the need to strengthen biosafety measures.

As he explained, 'as a result of climate change, wild birds are migrating at different times', which has led to the spread of outbreaks in the European Union; in Spain, too, he explained, the presence of the virus has increased in recent years.

He recalled that in humans "there is no contamination of meat, eggs or other products derived from the bird", but stressed that "in any case, we must have strict control in this matter".