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Newcastle disease officially confirmed in Spain
05 January 2026
SPAIN – The focus of Newcastle disease was officially confirmed and has occurred on a farm with an approximate number of 15,000 broilers, in the municipality of Llutxent.
It is the first Newcastle outbreak in poultry in Spain since June 2022, when it was detected in three broiler farms in the province of Almería. The corresponding epidemiological investigation is currently being carried out to try to identify the source of the virus. It is most likely that the virus entered the farm through direct or indirect contact with wild birds, in which the disease is present endemically throughout Spain and the EU.
It was detected due to a high increase in mortality in birds that were not vaccinated against the disease. Samples were taken and the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete, as the National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease in Spain, confirmed the presence of a velogenic strain of the virus, reports AGRONEWS COMUNITAT VALENCIANA.
The Official Veterinary Services of Valencia have immediately adopted the following measures, established in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687:
• Immediate immobilization of the affected farms once the outbreak is suspected.
• Carrying out the epidemiological survey in order to know the possible origin of the outbreaks and farms at risk due to movements of people and vehicles.
• The entire census of the affected farms was slaughtered and the carcasses, feed and other stubborn materials that could carry the virus were destroyed in an authorized treatment plant.
• Establishment of a restriction zone (ZR) around the outbreaks: 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone.
In the 3 km zone, in addition to the outbreak, there are two active commercial farms, and in the 10 km zone another 38. Within the 10 km ZR there are two other suspicious farms that shared epidemiological links with the outbreak; Both farms have been visited and, if necessary, official samples will be sent for confirmation to the LNR of Algete.
The MAPA recommends health prophylaxis measures, in particular the use of vaccines, as well as the reinforcement of biosafety measures in poultry farms, especially those aimed at avoiding contact with wild birds, as well as reinforcing passive surveillance both in poultry farms and in wild birds, notifying the official veterinary services of any suspicion of disease.
All information related to the disease can be found at the following link:
For information on the disease in wild birds, including the protocol to follow when finding suspicious wild birds, it is recommended to consult the wildlife health surveillance guide in its section dedicated to Newcastle Disease:
From the ElSitioAvícola editorial team
