Lisbon, Aug. 5, 2024 (Lusa) - Bird flu has been detected in seagulls in the districts of Aveiro and Faro, but Portugal remains free of this disease in poultry, the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV) said on Monday.

"Since the end of July, several cases of infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) have been detected in wild birds, namely seagulls collected in  Ilha Deserta, Faro municipality, Olhos de Água, Albufeira municipality and Gafanha da Nazaré, Ílhavo municipality," according to a note from the DGAV.

However, Portugal remains free of avian influenza in poultry.

The DGAV has asked poultry keepers to comply with biosecurity measures and good production practices, avoiding contact between domestic and wild birds.

On the other hand, it called for hygiene procedures for facilities, equipment and materials to be reinforced, as well as "strict control" of access to the places where birds are kept.

Handling sick or dead birds should be avoided.

If sick or dead wild birds are found, the DGAV should be contacted so that samples can be taken for testing.

PE/ADB // ADB.

Lusa