In February 2023, the Ministry of Public Health published an update of the Rapid Avian Flu Risk Assessment (H5N1) in Spain, as well as an early prevention, detection and control protocol for avian flu in individuals exposed to infection sources in poultry and minks.
The new protocol includes, among other measures, a double monitoring system for any individual exposed to infected poultry and minks at a farm, as well as screening to increase the detection of asymptomatic cases.
In addition, it will be mandatory to provide a list of every person who has been in contact with the animals, within 72 hours of the notification of an outbreak. These animals will be monitored for symptoms and even undergo PCR testing. Moreover, every individual connected to the outbreak, including farm workers and those involved in control operations, will be considered as exposed.
