Index Anillo Verde de Vitoria-Gasteiz

07/11/06 - A bird infected by the avian flu, found in Salburua

In July 7th, the authorities informed about the presence of the avian flu virus in an acuatic bird found dead in the park of Salburua.  The bird is a great crested grebe and the virus is of type H5N1. This is the first case of avian flu registered in Spain.

Regarding the wild birds of Salburua, this illness will intensify the monitoring and control works that were being carried out since last year in the wetland, when the first cases of avian flu in Europe were detected. Every day the margins of the wetland are being inspected to look for more dead birds, and twice a week birds are being captured to take samples and analyze them. Until now there are not more cases. Besides, the authorities have adopted several control measures to avoid the infection of domestic fowls that live around the wetland.

Visitors of the Green Belt should take care of dead birds, not touch them and call the authorities as soon as possible using the 112 or 010 telephone numbers.