Brussels, Jan. 14, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Commission updated its measures against avian influenza on Wednesday, following 60 new outbreaks of the disease, including one in Portugal, in the district of Santarém, changing the established protection and surveillance zones.

Portugal has reported new outbreaks in establishments where poultry or captive birds were kept in the municipalities of Tomar, Torres Novas and Vila Nova da Barquinha (Santarém), according to Implementing Decision 2026/107, published today in the Official Journal of the European Union (EU).

In addition to Portugal, the countries that have notified the EU government of new outbreaks are Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden.

Brussels points out that the affected Member States have taken the necessary measures to contain the virus that causes the disease, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the outbreaks, and considers that ‘the boundaries of the protection and surveillance zones established by these Member States are at a sufficient distance from the establishments where outbreaks of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) have been confirmed’.

HPAI is a viral infectious disease of birds that can have a serious impact on the profitability of poultry farming, affecting trade within the EU and exports to third countries.

HPAI viruses can also infect migratory birds, which can spread these viruses over long distances during their autumn and spring migrations.

IG/ADB // ADB.

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