Andalucia has activated Level 2 of its avian flu protocol following confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 in both wild birds in Doñana National Park and now in poultry farms in the province of Huelva.
While the virus poses a low risk to humans, it spreads rapidly among both wild and domestic birds, raising serious concerns for biodiversity and the poultry industry alike.
Wild bird cases in Doñana
Initial alerts were triggered by the detection of H5N1 in four wild birds within the Doñana area.
These included a great crested grebe found in Aznalcazar, and three other species – a grey heron, red-crested pochard, and gadwall – found in Hinojos.
The Spanish Veterinary Health Alert Network formally declared the cases, prompting Andalucia’s environment ministry to activate the Level 2 response in affected zones, including parts of Jimena (Jaen).
Authorities have ramped up monitoring, including the removal and controlled disposal of dead birds, and health screenings to distinguish between threatened and non-threatened species.
Endangered birds are being transferred to wildlife recovery centres (CREA), while others are monitored under standard veterinary protocols.
First poultry farm outbreak confirmed, second under investigation
But concern is growing beyond Doñana. On Friday, a separate outbreak was confirmed in a commercial poultry farm in Cerro del Andevalo (Huelva).
The farm, housing 8,500 birds, is now undergoing mass culling under strict biosecurity protocols to prevent spread.
A second potential outbreak has since emerged at another poultry facility in Valverde del Camino, around 20km from the first.
The 8,400 birds on-site are now under lockdown after PCR tests confirmed H5 presence.
Final pathogenicity tests are pending, but culling procedures and the destruction of potentially contaminated materials have already begun.
Officials say there’s no epidemiological link between the two farms, suggesting separate infection sources.
A 10km restriction zone has been enforced around both sites, with all nearby facilities temporarily immobilised.
Spread elsewhere in Spain
The virus isn’t confined to Andalucia. A third poultry outbreak was confirmed this week in Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, involving 37,300 birds.
Nationally, Spain now has four confirmed poultry outbreaks and 31 cases in wild birds, including two in Sevilla and three in the protected Doñana area.
In Sevilla, confirmed cases came from the Parque del Tamarguillo and Parque de Maria Luisa.
Although initial local tests were inconclusive, Spain’s Agriculture Ministry has included both among the nation’s confirmed outbreak sites.
Risk to humans remains low, but precautions urged
Both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Junta de Andalucia have stressed that avian flu cannot be transmitted to humans through cooked poultry meat, eggs, or processed products.
However, they advise avoiding unnecessary contact with birds showing clinical symptoms or found dead in the wild.
Despite the rising number of cases, authorities are not planning widespread closures of public spaces, with officials saying they wish to avoid unnecessary alarm while maintaining tight control measures.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
