A laboratory in Algete (Madrid) is investigating a possible case of avian flu after a dead duck showing similar symptoms was found in the Albufera natural park south of Valencia.
Preliminary reports indicate that the dead duck did not have the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus, but a 10km security perimeter has been set up as a security measure.
According to a regional government source, the dead duck was sent for analysis last Wednesday along with 35 others, according to nationwide health and safety protocols for cases where "there is even the slightest suspicion" of a possible infection.
Although this appears to be a false alarm, a dead bird found in Salburua marshes near Vitoria in the Basque country last July tested positive for the deadly strain, becoming the first, and only case detected in Spain to date.
