Portugal’s Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) has confirmed a case of bird flu in Albufeira, along with two additional outbreaks on commercial farms in the municipality of Torres Vedras, in the district of Lisbon.
In Torres Vedras, one outbreak was detected at a commercial duck-fattening unit in the parish of Campelos and Outeiro da Cabeça. Another was identified on a commercial chicken farm in A-dos-Cunhados and Macieira, where two further cases had already been reported in recent days. Since November, the municipality has recorded six outbreaks in total.
In Albufeira, the infection was found in a Eurasian collared dove, a wild bird. All confirmed cases involve the H5N1 subtype, the most common strain circulating in Portugal at this moment. Although transmission of the virus to humans is rare, when it does occur it can lead to severe illness.
The DGAV has warned of a “high risk of spread” and ordered the confinement of all domestic birds across mainland Portugal. The holding of fairs, markets, exhibitions and competitions involving poultry and captive birds is now prohibited in the areas with a registered outbreak.
In these designated protection and surveillance zones, the movement of birds, eggs, and fresh poultry originating from local establishments is also banned.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has called for reinforced biosecurity measures against avian influenza across all EU member states following fresh outbreaks over the past few months.
Bird flu symptoms in humans range from mild to severe, and can be difficult to pinpoint as they often mimic seasonal flu, including fever, a persistent cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, and muscle aches, as well as frequently featuring conjunctivitis (red/watery eyes). If left untreated, symptoms can progress to more serious issues like pneumonia, difficulty breathing, seizures, or even death, especially if there's contact with infected birds or recent travel to outbreak areas.
Source: DGAV
