“Currently, we will follow procedures to isolate it and prevent the spread of these viruses to domestic birds, as this could cause significant damage, and obviously, also try to prevent transmission both to domesticated birds and to humans,” stated Miguel Albuquerque.
The Regional Government leader was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ceremony awarding tourism merit medals to 28 individuals and entities in the region.
To journalists, Miguel Albuquerque explained that this plan was triggered “to take all precautionary measures and provisions.”
A case of avian flu was detected in a yellow-legged gull in the municipality of Funchal, Madeira.
The Regional Government of Madeira, through the Health and Civil Protection Secretariat, confirmed on its official page that “a wounded wild bird was found, collected through the SOS Wildlife Network, and sent to the Wild Bird Recovery Center (CRAS) where it was isolated in an individual cage, without physical contact with any other bird,” it reports.
This is the 28th outbreak of avian flu confirmed this year in the country.
Recently, outbreaks had already been detected in Benavente, Cascais, and Aveiro.
Transmission of the virus to humans occurs rarely, with sporadic cases reported worldwide. However, when it occurs, the infection can lead to severe clinical conditions.
The Directorate-General of Food and Veterinary has urged all bird owners to adhere to biosecurity measures and good production practices, avoiding contact between domestic and wild birds.
