The regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment of the Balearic Islands has announced the reinforcement of avian influenza control measures, following a sharp rise in cases across mainland Spain. According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, 14 outbreaks have been detected in poultry and 69 in wild birds so far this year. Fortunately, no cases have been reported in the Balearic Islands to date.
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Balearic Government strengthens bird flu prevention measures following critical outbreak levels in mainland Spain
The Director General for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fernando Fernández, emphasised the seriousness of the national situation, noting, “Even though the Balearic Islands are currently unaffected, the overall scenario in Spain is critical and requires heightened vigilance.” He also reassured citizens and producers that both passive monitoring —of unexplained wild bird deaths— and active surveillance in poultry farms show no traces of infection in the region.
Following the reactivation of Ministerial Order APA/2442/2006, agreed upon by national and regional authorities, new protective measures will take effect on Monday, 10 November, in designated high-risk and surveillance areas across the Balearic Islands. These include municipalities like Santa Margalida, Muro, Sa Pobla, Pollença, Alcúdia, Felanitx, Campos, Ibiza, and Mahón, among others.
Key measures include:
- Prohibition of live animal markets and livestock fairs in risk zones.
- Restrictions on outdoor poultry farming require feed and water to be provided in enclosed or sheltered areas.
- Increased inspections and awareness efforts by local veterinary units.
- Immediate reporting of any unexplained bird deaths, production drops, or clinical signs of avian flu in farms.
Racing pigeon releases will remain permitted under veterinary supervision, although this may change if the disease continues to spread. Fernández indicated that further expansion of measures to the entire region is likely if the epidemiological situation worsens.