The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been implementing, since Monday 10 November, additional reinforcement measures to prevent the spread of the avian influenza virus, following the confirmation this week of an increased risk due to the proliferation of cases across Europe —particularly in wild birds—, migratory movements and falling temperatures.
These measures include the confinement of poultry in areas considered to be of special risk and special surveillance: 1,199 municipalities in Andalusia (197), Aragón (128), the Canary Islands (1), Cantabria (31), Castilla y León (250), Castilla-La Mancha (18), Catalonia (224), the Community of Madrid (16), the Valencian Community (138), Extremadura (99), Galicia (40), the Balearic Islands (14), La Rioja (6), Navarre (12), the Basque Country (6), the Principality of Asturias (8), the Region of Murcia (11), Ceuta and Melilla.
The regulations apply across the entire national territory, except in areas already restricted due to an active outbreak. Registration of non-commercial holdings is required in municipalities within the special risk and surveillance zones. Early detection systems are being established, obliging keepers to report drops in feed and water consumption or egg production, or increases in mortality. Non-compliance with the order will be sanctioned in accordance with the Animal Health Law.
The Ministry, in agreement with the autonomous communities, activates all the protective measures against avian influenza provided for under Order APA/2442/2006 of 27 July, and includes the following prohibitions and obligations in the special risk and surveillance zones:
- Prohibited: the use of birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes as decoys.
- Prohibited: the rearing of ducks and geese together with other poultry.
- Prohibited: the free-range rearing of poultry. This will only be permitted if the competent authority authorises the use of netting or other devices that prevent contact with wild birds. In such cases, birds must be fed and watered inside the facilities or under shelters that prevent contact with wild birds.
- Prohibited: watering poultry from sources accessible to wild birds, unless the water is treated to inactivate any avian influenza viruses.
- Outdoor water supplies must be protected against wild waterfowl.
- Prohibited: the presence of poultry or other captive birds at animal gathering points, such as livestock fairs, shows, exhibitions and cultural events.
For the rest of the territory, the Ministry stresses the need to strictly enforce biosecurity measures on poultry holdings, particularly to prevent contact with wild birds, strengthen passive surveillance and report any suspicion of disease to the official veterinary services.
The special risk and surveillance zones are defined in Annexes II and III of the aforementioned order. The autonomous communities may establish complementary measures to strengthen protection against this disease.
The complete list of 1,199 municipalities can be downloaded in PDF format from the official BOE: Order APA/2442/2006 of 27 July, establishing specific protective measures in relation to avian influenza. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. «BOE» No. 179, of 28 July 2006. Reference: BOE-A-2006-13654 – Last amended: 7 April 2025
Link: https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2006/BOE-A-2006-13654-consolidado.pdf
Tracking of Avian Influenza cases on poultry farms in Spain in 2025:
-. 1st outbreak of 2025 (18 July, Extremadura): Alert over an Avian Influenza outbreak on a farm of 7,000 turkeys in Extremadura
-. 2nd outbreak (28 July, Toledo): Second AI outbreak detected, this time in breeder flocks in Toledo
-. 3rd outbreak (1 Sept., Huelva): The spectre of H5N1 returns to Andalusia: 8,500 turkeys culled due to avian influenza in Huelva.
-. 4th outbreak (8 Sept., Guadalajara): Spain records its fourth AI outbreak of 2025, this time on a breeder farm in Guadalajara
-. 5th outbreak (9 Sept., Huelva): H5N1 positive confirmed on the farm of 8,400 poultry in Valverde del Camino, Huelva, Andalusia
-. 6th outbreak (19 Sept., Valladolid): H5N1-type AI detected on a farm of 760,000 laying hens in Valladolid
-. 7th, 8th and 9th outbreaks (1 Oct., Valladolid and Madrid): 552,000 laying hens affected by three new AI outbreaks in Madrid and Valladolid
-. 10th outbreak (6 Oct., Valladolid): Tenth Avian Influenza outbreak detected in Spain. More than 800,000 laying hens to be culled.
-. 11th outbreak (13 Oct., Valladolid): Eleventh Avian Influenza outbreak detected in Spain on a farm of 66,000 laying hens.
-. 12th outbreak (15 Oct., Valladolid): 315,000 new laying hens affected in the latest outbreak
-. 13th outbreak (16 Oct., Toledo): 112,000 laying hens in Yeles, Toledo
-. 14th outbreak (20 Oct., Valladolid): 54,000 broiler chickens in Valladolid
No new outbreaks have been recorded on poultry farms since 20 October (updated as of 13 Nov. 2025)
For further information:
-. Avian Influenza on NeXusAvicultura