Arya News - About 400 storks have been found dead along a river near Madrid, raising concerns that a highly infectious strain of bird flu may be circulating.
About 400 storks have been found dead along a river near Madrid, raising concerns that a highly infectious strain of bird flu may be circulating.
The dead storks were discovered on the banks of the Manzanares River in Getafe, a southern Madrid suburb, officials said on Tuesday.
Initial tests detected a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza in the area, but the “large number” of stork deaths has fuelled suspicions of a more virulent variant, the Madrid regional government said in a statement.
Samples have been sent to a laboratory operated by the agriculture ministry for further analysis, it added.
Samples from the dead stork have been sent for test to establish whether deadly bird flu caused their deaths - AFP
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, rarely poses a risk to humans but can cause major losses in the farming sector and disruptions to food supplies.
Strict control measures are already in place, including bans on free-range poultry farming, limits on visits to breeding facilities, restrictions on raising ducks and geese alongside other poultry, and increased oversight of water supplies.
The virus spreads through bird droppings, saliva and contaminated food or water, but it cannot be transmitted through the consumption of poultry products.
More than 200 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported at poultry farms across Europe this year. This is higher than in recent years but well below the peak in 2022, when tens of millions of birds were culled.
Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.