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The detection of the first outbreak of the Newcastle disease virus in a broiler farm located in the municipality of Huércal-Overa, province of Almería has been confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) has reported that it is a broiler farm with approximately 10,000 6-weeks-old animals. The suspected disease came from the detection of the first symptoms on June 24th, followed by an increase in mortality in the next days.
The National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease in Spain, where it has been confirmed that it is a highly pathogenic strain of this disease, also has ruled out the presence of the avian influenza virus.
The last outbreak detected in Spain took place in November 2009. It happened on a hunting bird farm in the province of Guipúzcoa, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture. The measures included in Royal Decree 1888/1993, of November 22, were immediately implemented, which establishes measures to control Newcastle disease. Spain regained its status as a free country on March 23rd, 2010.
The epidemiological survey carried out on the farm indicates that all the birds were introduced to the farm to be raised at the beginning of May, and there were no movements of birds until the slaughter age. The possible origin of the outbreak remains under study, although wild birds are considered the most likely source of the virus.
The OVS of Andalusia has immediately adopted the following measures, established in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687:
- Lockdown of the farm affected by the suspected outbreak.
- Carrying out the epidemiologic survey in order to find out the possible origin of the outbreak and farms at risk due to the movement of people and vehicles.
- All birds affected are being slaughtered and the carcasses, feed, and other contaminated materials that could carry the virus are being destroyed in an authorized processing plant.
- Establishment of a restriction zone around
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