Bird Flu Confirmed In Northern Spain

Authorities in Spain have confirmed that a dead Great Cested Grebe was infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus strain in the marshes of Salburua lake, near Vitoria, Alava, Northern Spain. Authorities stressed that this find poses no threat to human health or the consumption of poultry.


The case is a strictly veterinary one, said Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega "There is no reason for alarm or for changing our daily routines."


The Ministry of Agriculture has put into force preventative measures, which include increased surveillance within a 10 mile (16 kilometre) radius around the area where the infected bird was found. The hunting of wild birds and transporting of all poultry within a 2 mile (3 kilometre) radius is banned.


Free range poultry farming was already banned in Spain near marshy areas before the infected bird was found.


Spain is directly within the flight path of several migratory birds which travel from Europe to Africa and vice-versa.


Tourism is a big earner for Spain. Last year it earned over $59 billion (46 billion euros) from foreign tourists, most of whom come from the UK, Germany and France. Tourism makes up 10% of the country's gross domestic product. Authorities do not expect this latest find will affect people's travel plans.


Get Used To Seasonal Bird Flu Patterns, Says EU


The European Union says Europe will have to get used to the seasonal appearance of bird flu in the continent. It warns that H5N1 is most likely to surface again fairly soon.


Zsuzsanna Jakab, Director, The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said "Even if we had a major outbreak on H5N1 in poultry (in Europe), the risk for EU citizens would still be low. It may be a low-level threat but one that we must take very seriously. In birds, it has peaked for now but it is very likely it will come back. We have to get used to a seasonal pattern -- it's quite likely it will reappear in Europe."


Cases of bird flu among poultry and live birds have dropped dramatically since March, 2006. Just before the coming of Spring 2006, EU officials warned of a possible upsurge in bird flu cases as migrating birds made their way from Africa to Europe. Fortunately, the upsurge never happened.


Over the next few months birds are expected to start moving in large number. European authorities are asking their citizens to remain vigilant.


About the Great Crested Grebe


Written by: