The Comunitat Valenciana declares a health emergency over Newcastle Disease

The Pleno del Consell of the Comunitat Valenciana on 30 January 2026 formally approved the declaration of emergency to carry out urgent health measures aimed at the prevention and control of Newcastle Disease. This pathology, characterised by being highly contagious, affects both wild and domestic birds and prompted an immediate response following the confirmation of a positive Newcastle case on 29 December in the municipality of Llutxent, and four further secondary outbreaks in nearby farms. The aim of these new measures is to prevent the emergence of additional secondary outbreaks in the Comunitat Valenciana.

Emergency action plan and allocated budget

To address this health threat, the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries has designed an emergency action plan with a total budget of €637,622. The planned interventions have a maximum implementation period of three months, with the aim of remedying existing damage and preventing the virus from spreading to other holdings.

The immediate measures include the depopulation of the affected farms and the culling of animals in strict compliance with animal welfare regulations. In addition, the culled birds will be destroyed or buried, along with feed and any other materials that may be contaminated. To ensure the effectiveness of the process, geological surveys will be carried out to identify suitable areas for excavating pits in which both animal remains and the materials and protective clothing used during operations will be deposited.

“Mandatory vaccination is a structural prevention measure that reinforces the health security of the sector.”

Enhanced biosecurity, perimeter control and the hiring of specialist cleaning teams

The containment strategy is not limited to confirmed outbreaks. The authorities have established a biosecurity reinforcement protocol within a 10-kilometre radius around the positive holdings. Within this perimeter, specific surveys will be conducted to assess the level of protection at nearby farms, and disinfectant will be applied to facilities, transport vehicles and equipment that may have come into contact with the virus.

These actions seek an “agile, swift and effective” response to safeguard the region’s poultry sector. The intervention also includes the hiring of specialist teams for the collection and management of contaminated animals and materials.

“The regulatory update will make it possible to introduce mandatory vaccination throughout the Comunitat Valenciana.”

Towards mandatory vaccination across the entire region

Beyond the temporary emergency measures, the Consell is committed to a structural solution. The Directorate-General for Agricultural and Livestock Production is processing an amendment to the Annual Zoosanitary Plan of the Comunitat Valenciana, originally approved on 8 January 2026. This regulatory update will enable the introduction of mandatory vaccination against Newcastle Disease throughout the entire territory of the Comunitat Valenciana.

The Regional Minister for Agriculture has stressed that this measure is vital to ensure the stability of an essential economic activity and to protect Valencian poultry farmers. By incorporating mandatory vaccination protocols, the aim is to raise health safety standards and prevent future outbreaks that could jeopardise animal health and the viability of the poultry sector.

“The emergency action plan has a budget of €637,622 and an implementation period of three months.”

Further reading:

-. Newcastle Disease fact sheet (MAPA)
-. National Newcastle Disease Surveillance Programme 2025.
-. Main page for Newcastle Disease Control on the MAPA website
-. Newcastle Disease on NeXusAvicultura

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