Second AI outbreak detected, this time in breeder hens in Toledo

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak detected, requiring the culling of 45,000 breeder hens

Alcolea de Tajo, Toledo – 28 July 2025 – The veterinary authorities of Castilla-La Mancha have confirmed the detection of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, subtype H5N1, on a poultry farm dedicated to the rearing of breeder hens in the municipality of Alcolea de Tajo, province of Toledo, Spain. This news, officially notified today, Monday 28 July, has triggered the immediate activation of strict sanitary control measures to contain the spread of the virus. This is the second outbreak on a poultry farm confirmed in 2025, following the first on 18 July in Extremadura on a farm housing 7,000 turkeys.

The affected premises, with a flock size of approximately 45,000 breeder hens, first raised suspicion on 25 July following the detection and notification to the Official Veterinary Services (OVS) of the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha of an abnormal increase in on-farm mortality. The farm comprises four separate houses; notably, 100% of the birds in one house were affected, whilst in another house the proportion affected was 5%, and the two remaining houses showed no affected birds.

Response protocol and virus confirmation

Following the initial alert, the OVS visited the premises on 25 July itself, immediately implementing a preventive standstill on the farm. As part of the protocol, a thorough epidemiological investigation was carried out and official samples of cloacal and tracheal swabs were taken from affected birds. These samples were submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (LCV) in Algete, which holds the designation of National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Spain. Analyses confirmed the presence of HPAI subtype H5N1, corroborating the seriousness of the situation. The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development has maintained constant communication with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), as well as with the Regional Ministry of Health, throughout this process.

Control and containment measures

In compliance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, the OVS of the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha have immediately implemented a series of rigorous control measures aimed at eradicating the outbreak and preventing its spread. These measures include:

Immediate standstill on the affected premises and on all those located within a 10-kilometre radius from the moment of suspicion, on 25 July 2025.
Culling in progress of all birds on the affected premises.
Official disposal of bird carcasses, as well as feed and any other material that could act as a vehicle for the virus, in accordance with ABAP (Animal By-Products) regulations.
Conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation to determine the possible source of the outbreak and identify other at-risk premises that may have an epidemiological link to the affected farm (via movements of vehicles, products or personnel). These identified premises will also be placed under standstill and clinically inspected, and hatching eggs originating from the affected premises will be destroyed.
Establishment of a restriction zone around the outbreak, divided into:
- A protection zone of 3 kilometres. Within this radius, there are no other poultry holdings, which facilitates control.
- A surveillance zone of 3 to 10 kilometres. In this area, four poultry holdings and one zoological collection have been identified. All these establishments have been placed under standstill, with the consequent restriction of movements of birds and poultry products. In addition, biosecurity measures have been reinforced and they are subject to ongoing inspections by the OVS.

The most likely source once again points to wild birds

This outbreak in Alcolea de Tajo marks the second HPAI H5N1 outbreak notified in Spain in poultry in 2025. The previous outbreak was detected on Friday 18 July 2025 in two broiler turkey holdings (7,000 + 5,000 turkeys) in the province of Badajoz. The authorities have confirmed that no epidemiological link between the two outbreaks has been detected.

The most probable route of virus introduction into the Toledo farm is considered to be direct or indirect contact with wild birds. This hypothesis is reinforced by the fact that, over recent weeks, several HPAI H5N1 cases have been detected in wild birds in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula.

With this latest incident, the total number of HPAI outbreaks detected in Spain during 2025 stands at five outbreaks in wild birds (in Andalusia and Extremadura) and two outbreaks in poultry (in Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha).

Recommendations for other poultry farmers

The authorities, including MAPA, stress the pressing need to maintain and reinforce biosecurity measures on all poultry holdings to prevent contact with wild birds. They also call for the strengthening of passive surveillance, both in wild birds and on poultry holdings. It is essential to notify the OVS of any disease suspicion, particularly in domestic poultry, upon detection of symptoms such as:

Drops in water and/or feed consumption.
Reduction in egg production.
Abnormally elevated mortality.
Observation of other clinical signs compatible with the disease.

The aim of this surveillance is to ensure early detection of any new outbreak and enable the adoption of the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease to other holdings.

Restricting the movement of animals and eggs

In statements reported by the Junta, the Regional Minister for Agriculture, Julián Martínez Lizán, explained that «the first step taken was to restrict the movement of animals and eggs», given that the facility is dedicated to supplying eggs to hatcheries to provide parent stock to other farms.

Martínez Lizán indicated that «between today (Monday 28) and tomorrow» the complete culling of the entire flock on the premises will be carried out to prevent possible spread, along with the management of all related operations. He also urged workers «to report any suspicion that may arise, so that the necessary measures can be taken to prevent the spread».

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