Lisbon, Nov. 25, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) warned on Tuesday of the "high risk of spread" of avian influenza and ordered the confinement of domestic birds throughout the mainland.
"Considering the serious epidemiological situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the European Union, as well as the increase in confirmed outbreaks of this disease in Portugal, the risk of the disease spreading remains very high," reads a note published on Tuesday.
The DGAV has therefore ordered the confinement of domestic birds throughout mainland Portugal.
It has also banned fairs, markets, exhibitions and competitions involving poultry and captive birds.
In protection and surveillance zones, the movement of birds from establishments located there, the restocking of game birds, fairs, markets and exhibitions, and the movement of fresh meat from slaughterhouses or game handling establishments are prohibited.
The movement of eggs for human consumption and animal by-products obtained from birds held in establishments located in these areas is also prohibited.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Monday called on European Union (EU) countries to strengthen safety measures against bird flu after warnings of new outbreaks.
Between 6 September and 14 November, 1,443 outbreaks of avian influenza in wild birds were detected in 26 EU countries, the highest number since at least 2016, according to EFSA data.
The authority called on countries to strengthen surveillance and adopt biosecurity measures, as outlined in the published recommendations.
The published recommendations also include confining birds in areas affected by avian influenza, special monitoring of stopping points along wild bird migration routes, and avoiding artificial feeding of wild birds.
Wild bird carcasses should be removed immediately to avoid the risk of contagion to other species.
In turn, hunting should be reduced, as well as the use of drones or other activities that may disturb birds.
In Portugal, a new outbreak of bird flu was detected in Ramalhal, Torres Vedras, in a domestic poultry farm with geese, ducks, guinea fowl and quails, the DGAV announced on Monday.
The total number of outbreaks detected this year has now risen to 39.
According to information published by the DGAV, this outbreak was confirmed last Friday, the same day an outbreak was reported on a commercial turkey farm in Torres Vedras.
On the same day, three outbreaks of avian influenza were confirmed in the district of Aveiro in wild birds.
At the same time, an outbreak was also detected on Friday at a domestic chicken and duck farm in Santarém.
The DGAV has warned that the risk of bird flu spreading is currently high and has called for safety measures to be put in place.
Transmission of the virus to humans is rare, with sporadic cases reported worldwide. However, when it does occur, the infection can lead to serious clinical symptoms.
PE/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
