Bird flu has been detected once again in Portimão, this time in a white stork, bringing the number of confirmed outbreaks in Portugal this year to 29, according to data from the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV).
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza was confirmed in the wild bird earlier this week. The last case reported in Portimão was in July, when the virus was found in a yellow-legged gull.
So far this year, cases have also been recorded in Aveiro and on the island of Madeira, as authorities continue to monitor the spread of the virus in wild bird populations.
While transmission of bird flu to humans is extremely rare, health experts warn that when infection does occur, it can cause serious illness.
The DGAV is urging all poultry owners to tighten biosecurity measures, keeping domestic birds away from wild species and following best farming practices.
Any suspected cases should be immediately reported to the DGAV.
