Six wild birds collected in Araba have tested positive for avian influenza in the screening carried out by Neiker (Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development), pending confirmation by the veterinary laboratory in Algete, which is the reference laboratory. The Provincial Council has heightened surveillance at reservoirs and lagoons to remove dead animals. Birds at the Salburua wetland, in Gasteiz. (Gasteizko Udala)
Sources from the Provincial Department of Agriculture confirmed to Efe that these six birds tested positive in the screening carried out by Neiker, although the samples have been sent to the central veterinary laboratory in Algete, Madrid, which is the reference laboratory for avian influenza in Spain and is responsible for official confirmation. According to information provided by the Provincial Council, two weeks ago a positive result was confirmed in a gull found in Garaio.
On Thursday 28 August, Neiker confirmed positive results for avian influenza in a goose collected in the Álava municipality of Alegría by a private individual in their garden, and in a spoonbill, two storks and a mallard at the Salburua wetland.
Provincial plan under way
The Provincial Council has recalled that measures are already in place to prevent widespread spread of the disease, including heightened surveillance at reservoirs, the Arkaute and Salburua lagoons, and ponds to remove sick and dead animals. It noted that the appearance of avian influenza-positive animals is periodic “and recurs over time and at different locations across Europe.” These cases are in addition to those identified in recent weeks in several gulls found mainly along the Bizkaia coastline. At the beginning of August, in Bizkaia, 132 birds were culled at the Gorliz wildlife recovery centre.
For further information:
-. Avian Influenza on the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture website
-. Avian Influenza on NeXusAvicultura