A new outbreak of avian flu has been detected in the Urgell region.

BarcelonaThe government reported on Friday the detection of a new case of avian influenza at a poultry farm. located three kilometers from the initial focusWithin the surveillance area established following the first confirmed case in the Urgell region, according to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, a new outbreak has been identified. The new outbreak was quickly identified as a result of preventative testing being carried out on all farms within the control area of the first case. The affected farm has 9,000 animals, which will be slaughtered immediately, as established by the current health protocol, with the aim of containing and eradicating the outbreak. Simultaneously, all biosecurity measures will be activated, including cleaning and disinfection, as well as the reinforcement of health controls in the area, the department reported.

Following this new detection, and as required by regulations, the department has established a new 10-kilometer surveillance radius around the affected farm. This increases the number of affected municipalities by four (Bellvís, La Fuliola, Linyola, and Poal) and the number of farms included in the control area by four. These farms will be inspected according to current health protocols.

Regarding human health, coordination has been activated with the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital to carry out preventive monitoring of workers on poultry farms within the surveillance radius. It is worth noting that, to date, only a few isolated cases of influenza have been detected worldwide in people with close contact with animals, always in the workplace, and without serious consequences. The Government reiterates that the consumption of poultry meat and eggs poses no risk to human health.

File for contagious nodular dermatosis

On another note, regarding contagious nodular dermatosis, the department has reported that the recently detected outbreak corresponds to a partially vaccinated farm. In November, a formal request was issued to the farm owner to complete the mandatory vaccination of all animals, a request that was not fulfilled. Given this non-compliance, the department will open a sanctioning procedure. In this regard, the regional ministry has reiterated that all animals must be vaccinated before January 31st and that otherwise, coercive measures will be applied to guarantee compliance with regulations and the health protection of the entire sector. Regarding African swine fever, the Government assures that it continues to focus its efforts on containing the outbreak. The 18 new positive cases recently reported correspond to accumulated detections from recent days, resulting from intensified surveillance and controls across the region. The total number of cases is 47, all located in wild boar, i.e., wild animals. The deployment of resources continues to focus on early detection, control of game animals, movement restrictions, and the reinforcement of biosecurity measures with the aim of preventing the spread of the disease and protecting the entire swine sector, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.