August 8, 2006

Spain lifts protective bird flu measures

Spain lifted protective measures adopted after its first case of H5N1 bird flu was detected last month, an official said Monday (Aug 7).

The measures were lifted because no further cases of the virus had been detected since it was found in a marshland outside the northern city of Vitoria on Jul 7, regional agriculture, fisheries and food official Gonzalo Saenz de Samaniego said.

A protective area of 3 kilometres was declared around the area where the bird--a great crested grebe--was found, and measures including a ban on outdoor poultry farming within 10 kilometres of marshlands where migratory birds gather were declared.

The virus is believed to have spread from Asia to European and African countries via migratory birds as well as other trade and travel routes. Surveillance for the virus has been heightened significantly in recent months.