12 September 2026
Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has reported a significant resurgence of Newcastle disease in poultry farms, confirming 40 outbreaks across two distinct regions between December 2025 and September 2026, ending a period of disease absence in domestic poultry dating back to June 2022. In total, 2,079,666 susceptible birds across the affected holdings were subjected to stamping-out measures to curb further spread.
According to official epidemiological data, the infection has manifested in two independent waves involving different viral strains:
- Valencia Outbreak (December 2025 – May 2026): A total of 10 outbreaks were confirmed within the Vall d'Albaida district, affecting broiler and commercial layer operations. These outbreaks involved 272,420 susceptible birds culled across the affected holdings. Molecular analysis identified the pathogen as genotype VII.1.1.
-Castile and León Outbreak (June – September 2026): Originating on June 15, 2026, in Aldea de San Miguel (Valladolid), this wave rapidly expanded across five provinces, accounting for 30 confirmed outbreaks and resulting in the culling of 1,807,246 susceptible birds. The majority of outbreaks were concentrated in Valladolid (18 flocks), followed by Segovia (6), Ávila (3), Salamanca (2), and Zamora (1). Molecular testing confirmed that this episode is driven by genotype VII.2, demonstrating no epidemiological link to the earlier outbreak in Valencia.
A critical development in the Castile and León cluster has been the occurrence of infection in previously vaccinated populations. Of the 30 affected farms in the region, nine were vaccinated flocks (comprising six layer farms, two broiler units, and one rearing pullet operation).
