Lisbon, Nov. 12, 2025 (Lusa) - The risk of bird flu spreading is currently high, warned the Portuguese Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV), which has ordered confinement in high-risk areas, at a time when 31 outbreaks of infection have been confirmed in the country.

"Given the sharp increase in the number of confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and its widespread geographical distribution in Europe, the risk of the disease spreading among wild and domestic birds is currently high," the DGAV warned in a statement.

The total number of outbreaks detected this year in Portugal stands at 31.

The DGAV stressed that the vast majority of outbreaks in domestic birds originate from contact with wild birds, calling for the strengthening of biosecurity measures.

Domestic birds in establishments located in high-risk areas, including domestic poultry and captive birds, must be kept in captivity.

In protection and surveillance zones, the movement of birds, the restocking of game species, fairs, markets and exhibitions, the movement of fresh meat and eggs for incubation and human consumption, as well as the movement of animal by-products, are prohibited.

The DGAV specified that all violations of these rules will be punished.

At the beginning of the month, bird flu was again confirmed in the northern and central regions of Aveiro and Santarém.

The 2025 edition of Avisan - National Exhibition of Birds, Pets, Equipment and Accessories, in Santarém, has been cancelled due to the worsening health situation caused by bird flu, announced CNEMA.

The event, which was scheduled to take place over 29 November and 1 December, was suspended "in view of the exceptional conditions and climate of uncertainty in the coming weeks," the Board of Directors of the National Centre for Agricultural Exhibitions and Markets (CNEMA) said in a statement.

Any suspected cases of avian influenza infection should be reported to the DGAV.

The DGAV is a central service of the direct administration of the State, with administrative autonomy.