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Date Published: 14/02/2022

ARCHIVED - Worst bird flu outbreak in the history of Spain

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

More than 260,000 farm birds have been culled in Spain so far this year

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Worst bird flu outbreak in the history of Spain

The rapid spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian flu is leading to the worst outbreak of its kind in the history of Spain. So far, it has been detected in six poultry farms and in 12 natural areas, and in recent days, new outbreaks have been detected on turkey farms in Sevilla, Huelva and Valladolid.

The latest cases will result in the culling of 133,000 birds, adding to the total slaughter of 269,000 in the first few weeks of 2022 alone.

What is bird flu and how did it get to Spain?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the H5N1 strain is sweeping across Europe and North America, while Asia and Africa are being hardest hit by H5 and H7.

First detected in Chinese geese back in 1996, avian flu is a virus that is highly contagious among poultry. The disease is brought to Spain by infected migratory birds which deposit droppings and drink from water sources in areas where poultry are farmed.

The good news is that to date, the avian flu appears to be seasonal, and as the weather warms up, new outbreaks should become less likely in Spain.

Nonetheless, the regional authorities placed turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens in confinement in eight municipalities of Murcia last month to try to halt the spread of the disease.

Can humans contract bird flu?

Although cases of avian flu in humans have been reported in the past, it is rare, but as has been experienced with the Covid pandemic, the experts have warned that animal influenza viruses are constantly changing and have the ability to mutate and infect people.

According to the WHO, the main risk factor for human infection appears to be direct or indirect exposure to infected, sick or dead poultry, or to contaminated environments such as live bird markets.

Crucially, scientists agree that there is no risk of contracting the virus through eating animal products, as “there are no data indicating that A(H5), A(H7N9) or other avian influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans through well-cooked poultry meat or eggs”.

Image: Archive

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