Portugal Reports First Avian Flu Virus in Poultry in Five Years

PORTUGAL - An H7 low-pathogenic subtype of the avian influenza virus was detected in a small mixed poultry flock in southern Portugal at the end of November.
calendar icon 4 December 2013
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The veterinary authority sent an Immediate Notification dated 2 December to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

On 28 November, the outbreak was detected as the result of the avian influenza surveillance programme; no clinical signs were observed in the backyard flock comprising 18 chickens, 36 broilers, six guinea fowls and three ducks in the Alentejo region. All 63 birds have been destroyed.

The virus has been identified as belonging to the H7 group.

The source of the virus is unknown.

A 1-km restriction zone has been established and all the necessary measures in accordance with Council Directive 2005/94/EC are being implemented. Only one other backyard flock exists in the restriction zone and has already been sampled. No poultry have been recently moved to other regions, EU Member States or third countries from the restriction zone. An epidemiological investigation is on-going.

This is the first report of the avian flu virus in the country since January 2008.

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