“On January 4th, a fifth focus of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (GAAP) infection was confirmed in a wild goose (Anser sp.), found dead in the Patudos Dam, Alpiarça municipality”, reads one statement released today by the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV).

However, this focus did not force the determination of restriction zones, but were reinforced as surveillance measures in the zone.

In the document, DGAV highlighted the importance of complying with biosafety rules and good poultry production practices, as well as hygiene procedures and control of access to adapters where the birds are referenced.

“It is also extremely important to immediately notify any suspicion, in order to allow a quick and effective implementation of measures to control the disease,” he added.

The notification of mortality of wild birds can be done through the ANIMAS application (http://animas.icnf.pt)

This Tuesday, a new outbreak of avian flu had already been detected in a farm of chickens and ducks in Santiago do Cacém, district of Setúbal.

On December 31, 2021, a focus was also confirmed on an exploration of Turkeys, at Praia do Ribatejo, Vila Nova da Barquinha, district of Santarém.

Avian flu was detected in Portugal on December 2nd, in a homemade farm of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, in Palmela (Setúbal).

In the same month, a focus on commercial exploitation of turkeys for fattening in Óbidos, Leiria, was confirmed.

The outbreaks of infection now cover 24,240 birds.

The DGAV, which is a central service of the State’s direct administration, with administrative autonomy, had already recalled that there is no evidence that avian flu is transmitted to humans through the consumption of food, such as poultry meat or eggs.