An outbreak of avian flu was detected in the parish of A-dos-Cunhados and Macieira at a duck fattening farm, according to the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV).
The virus subtype identified was H5N1, which has been the most common at least during the 2025/2026 season.
This is the fourth outbreak detected in Torres Vedras, Lisbon, since November. The number of confirmed outbreaks in Portugal this year has risen to 41.
At the end of November, another outbreak was confirmed in the same parish at a commercial turkey fattening farm.
On the 21st of the same month, an outbreak was identified in Torres Vedras at a commercial turkey farm and another in a domestic coop housing geese, ducks, chickens, guinea fowl, and quail.
The DGAV warned of the “high risk of dissemination” of avian influenza and mandated the confinement of domestic birds across the continental territory.
Additionally, the agency has prohibited fairs, markets, exhibitions, and contests of poultry and captive birds.
In protection and surveillance zones, the transport of birds from establishments in these locations is prohibited, as are the reintroduction of game bird species, fairs, markets, and exhibitions, and the movement of fresh meat from slaughterhouses or game handling establishments.
The movement of eggs for human consumption and animal by-products obtained from birds held within establishments in these areas is also prohibited.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had already urged European Union (EU) countries to strengthen safety measures against avian flu following alerts of new outbreaks.
Transmission of the virus to humans occurs rarely, with sporadic cases reported worldwide. However, when it does occur, infection can lead to severe clinical conditions.
