Spain detects first case of H5N1 bird flu

MADRID (Reuters) – A Spanish laboratory has confirmed the
country’s first case of H5N1 bird flu after analyzing a sample
taken from a wild migratory water bird, the Agriculture
Ministry said on Friday.

“The National Reference Laboratory has confirmed a case of
highly pathogenic H5N1 type bird flu,” said the Agriculture
Ministry in a news release.

The great crested grebe was found in the northern province
of Alava and was sent to the National Reference Laboratory on
Thursday, the ministry said.

With cases in Italy and other European countries, experts
had said it was only a matter of time before Spain also
confirmed it had found an infected bird.

The country has already enforced rules to cover poultry
being bred close to many wetlands areas, to prevent contact
between migrating birds and domestic fowl.

The Madrid region has ordered all poultry farms to enclose
their birds, whether close to wetlands or not, and others may
follow suit. But many smallholders in villages also keep
chickens unregistered in their backyards.