An egg production farm in Spain with 600,000 hens was diagnosed with H5N1 strain highly pathogenic avian influenza on September 8th.  The outbreak was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete.  The farm is located in the municipality of Fontanar in the Province of Guadalajara and is the 35th reported outbreak in Spain this year.

Epidemiologic investigations are in progress, but the origin of the virus is presumed to be a defect in biosecurity allowing contact with wild birds.

Appropriate responses by the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha in compliance with E.U. directives and WOAH recommendations have been implemented.

The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food has advised producers to upgrade biosecurity and has intensified surveillance in wild bird populations.