Llutxent, Valencia, 3 January 2026 – Veterinary authorities have intensified control measures in the Vall D’Albaida region following the official notification on 2 January 2026 of three new secondary outbreaks of Newcastle disease on broiler farms. These outbreaks are located in the municipality of Llutxent, the same location where the primary outbreak was detected on 29 December, and fall within the already established restriction zone.

Impact on holdings and source of infection

The three affected farms have flocks of 28,500, 16,500 and 20,100 broilers, respectively. The alert was triggered by an abnormally high increase in bird mortality, which prompted the Official Veterinary Services (OVS) to collect samples analysed by PCR, confirming the presence of the virus.

According to epidemiological investigations, the most likely cause of spread in two of the outbreaks is geographical proximity to the initial farm. In the third case, direct epidemiological links have been identified, as the holding belongs to the same owner as the primary outbreak farm.

Stringent measures to contain the virus

In view of the risk of spread, the Generalitat Valenciana has taken firm measures in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687:

• Culling and disposal: All birds on the affected farms have been culled and carcasses, feed and any material that could act as a vector for the virus have been destroyed.
• Preventive measures: A preventive cull of 17,000 broilers has been carried out on a farm close to the outbreaks, and two further clinical suspicions in the area are under investigation.
• Restriction zones: A radius of 3 km has been established as a protection zone (encompassing 2 active commercial holdings) and a radius of 10 km as a surveillance zone (covering a further 37 holdings).

Throughout this perimeter, rigorous clinical inspections are being carried out and compulsory vaccination against the disease has been initiated on all farms within the restriction zone. The Conselleria de Agricultura has published a list including approximately 120 poultry holdings affected by the imposed restrictions, both within the 3-kilometre and 10-kilometre perimeters around the outbreaks, although dozens of these are reported to be inactive. The majority are laying hen or broiler farms, but the list also includes lofts housing racing pigeons, as well as ducks, pheasants, turkeys, geese and partridges.

Recommendations to the poultry sector

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has called on poultry farmers to reinforce biosecurity measures, with particular emphasis on avoiding contact with wild birds. The use of vaccines on broiler farms is also recommended, and farmers are urged to report any suspicion immediately to the official veterinary services in order to maintain effective passive surveillance.

Loss of disease-free status for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease

With these three new Newcastle disease outbreaks, in addition to the previous one on 26 December, Spain has lost its Newcastle Disease-free country status, which it had held since 2022. Added to the most recent Avian Influenza outbreak on a farm of 230,000 laying hens in Lleida on 24 December, this temporarily and severely complicates the export outlook that had been expected to be positive for the newly begun year 2026.

Further information:
-. Fact sheet on Newcastle Disease (MAPA)
-. Official MAPA Notice of 29 Dec. 2025
-. Official MAPA Notice of 2 January 2026
-. National Newcastle Disease Surveillance Programme 2025.

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