China customs bans poultry imports from Spain for bird flu

China's General Administration of Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, on Monday, issued a joint notice banning the direct or indirect import of poultry and related products from Spain, following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in the country.

The announcement cited information from the World Organization for Animal Health confirming outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Spanish poultry. The measure aims to prevent the virus from entering China and safeguard the country's livestock industry and biosecurity.

Spain has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a fattening turkey farm in the southwestern region of Extremadura, the WOAH said, citing Spanish authorities, Reuters reported on July 18.

According to a previous update on August 5 from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on global animal disease trends, Spain reported to the WOAH that on July 28, 30, and August 1, one outbreak in domestic poultry and three outbreaks of the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds had occurred in Castilla-La Mancha and another region. The incidents have led to the infection of 10,000 poultry, 2,000 deaths, the culling of 43,000 birds and the deaths of 36 wild birds.

The notice lays out six specific measures. In addition to banning the direct or indirect import of poultry and related products from Spain — including unprocessed items or those that, despite processing, may still transmit zoonotic diseases — it also prohibits the mailing or carrying of such products into China. Any items found in violation will be returned or destroyed.

Animal and plant waste, kitchen refuse and other discarded materials offloaded from inbound vessels, aircraft, or other means of transport arriving from Spain must undergo pest control treatment under customs supervision and may not be disposed of at will, the notice said.

The notice also stressed that any poultry or related products from Spain intercepted by border inspection or other authorities during illegal entry will be destroyed under customs supervision.

Violators of the above provisions will be handled by customs authorities in accordance with relevant laws and implementing regulations.

Customs offices and agricultural authorities at all levels are also urged to work closely together, in line with applicable laws, to strengthen quarantine, disease prevention, and oversight efforts.

Wang Guangfa, a respiratory expert from the Peking University First Hospital, told the Global Times on Monday that highly pathogenic avian influenza primarily affects poultry, spreads rapidly, and has a high mortality rate. While humans are generally less susceptible, once infected, the case fatality rate can reach 40 to 50 percent.

Wang noted that during the peak season, people should minimize contact with poultry and wild birds, and take protective measures when slaughtering poultry — such as wearing N95 masks, goggles and gloves, followed by thorough disinfection afterward.

People should avoid eating dead poultry, ensure poultry meat is fully cooked before consumption, and be mindful of preventive measures during processing, Wang added.