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Avian flu confirmed as cause of bird deaths in Seville’s Tamarguillo Park
Authorities await details on virus severity as park remains closed and concerns rise
Seville has been hit by a troubling outbreak of avian influenza in the city’s Parque del Tamarguillo, where at least 68 birds have died since last week. The City Council has confirmed that tests carried out on samples from the dead birds have detected the avian flu virus.The Ministry of Agriculture, through its central laboratory in Algete, analysed the samples and reported the virus, though authorities are still awaiting final results to determine whether the strain is of high or low pathogenicity. This will be crucial in deciding what response measures are needed to contain the outbreak.
Among the victims were six geese found dead this Tuesday, adding to the grim total of waterfowl lost in the park. As a precaution, Tamarguillo Park has been closed to the public while investigations are ongoing. Water tests have ruled out pollution or toxins as a cause, showing no heavy metals, pesticides, or harmful algae. The municipal government is now waiting for autopsy results expected within 20 days.
The City Council is working closely with the Andalusian Regional Government and the Ministries of Environment, Health, and Agriculture to coordinate all necessary actions and follow official protocols. The council has also requested help from the Ministry of Agriculture to carry out further analyses to rule out other diseases like Newcastle disease.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Seville’s council is preparing to implement a new urban wildlife management plan, which will formally regulate the care of wild animals in all city parks. Until now, such management was informal, but it will soon be included alongside tree and green area maintenance—a move aimed at protecting both wildlife and public health.
Meanwhile, the Socialist party in Seville has urged the local government to activate all preventive safety measures immediately, describing them as "necessary guarantees" while awaiting the full details on the virus’s severity. Councilor Encarnación Aguilar insisted on close coordination with the regional authorities to manage the situation effectively.
Environmentalists from the group Ecologists in Action have criticised what they call "municipal negligence" in managing the city’s urban wetlands and ponds. They argue the die-offs are not isolated incidents but part of a long-term pattern caused by poor maintenance, poor water quality, and ecological decline. They reported that around 100 dead birds have appeared recently across several city parks, including Tamarguillo, María Luisa, and Miraflores, while parks like Alamillo remain unaffected.
The activists demand urgent preventative measures, better water management, and transparency in releasing investigation results. They warn that ongoing neglect risks further outbreaks and poses dangers to biodiversity and public safety.
For most residents, experts say the risk to humans remains very low as transmission generally requires close contact with infected birds. However, the park closure and surveillance measures are important to limit any spread and protect both wildlife and people.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Sevilla
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