Spain orders closure of all poultry due to risk of avian flu

Spain's agriculture ministry on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of all poultry due to an increased risk of avian flu. The decision extends measures from last week, when Madrid ordered the closure of poultry only in designated high-risk areas.

The tightening comes after a surge in bird flu cases in Europe - 139 outbreaks have been reported since July, 14 of them in Spain, half of them in the regions of Castile and León. The ministry said it had taken the measure "due to the increased risk of disease introduction into the country in the past week".

The new regulation applies to all farms, including both organic and small-scale farmers. The aim is to prevent poultry from coming into contact with migratory birds that can transmit the virus.

The measure also bans the sharing of ducks and geese with other poultry species, the use of untreated surface water and the holding of markets, exhibitions or other events with birds.

(reuters, lud)