Gallinas en un corral junto a una valla

Bird flu autumn 2026: what bird and cat owners need to know

Photo: Unsplash (free licence).

Quick answer: bird flu is back in the spotlight this autumn because wild bird migration has begun and the first outbreaks of the season were confirmed in the UK in October 2026. Spain reported no outbreaks over the summer, and the risk to the general public remains low. If you keep hens, pet birds or cats, the key is to avoid contact with wild birds, not to feed raw poultry and to report any dead birds you find.

After a difficult winter, when poultry had to be housed across Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture lifted the measure in April 2026 as the situation improved. Now, with colder weather and migrating birds arriving, European authorities are again urging caution.

What the latest European data show

The quarterly report by EFSA, the ECDC and the EU reference laboratory, published on 22 September 2026, recorded 110 detections of H5N1 bird flu in 12 European countries between June and August: 7 in domestic birds and 103 in wild birds. It was a quiet summer, but the 2025-2026 epidemiological year ended with a record number of detections in wild birds and more than 33 million farmed birds affected in Europe.

Spain had no outbreaks during that quarter. This autumn, England confirmed its first H5N1 outbreak of the 2026-2027 season on a commercial farm on 19 October, and Scotland had already detected an H5N5 outbreak. These are signs that the virus is circulating again with the migration.

Is there a risk to people?

The ECDC rates the risk as low for the general public and low to moderate for people who work with birds. No human case has been diagnosed in Spain to date. As reported by The Objective on 13 October 2026, Spain plans to start vaccinating exposed professionals with risk factors within a year.

Cats and bird flu: precautions at home

Cats are more susceptible to this virus than dogs. Cases described in other countries have been linked to eating sick or dead birds, raw poultry or raw milk. To reduce the risk:

  • Avoid feeding raw poultry while the situation calls for it; cooking inactivates the virus.
  • If your cat goes outdoors, consider keeping it inside in areas with outbreaks and make balconies and windows secure.
  • Offer play and enrichment so that indoor life stays stimulating.
  • If you notice fever, lethargy, breathing difficulties or neurological signs, see your vet and mention any possible contact with birds.

Hens and pet birds: simple measures

The European #NoBirdFlu campaign sums up prevention in five steps: control access, clean and disinfect, avoid contact with wild birds, keep species apart and spot signs of disease early. At home, that means:

  • Keep your birds' food and water under cover, out of reach of pigeons and other wild birds.
  • If you have parrots, parakeets or budgies, avoid leaving the cage on balconies or terraces where wild birds land.
  • Wash your hands before and after looking after them and keep a pair of shoes just for the coop.
  • If appetite or egg-laying drops suddenly, or birds die unexpectedly, contact your vet or the official veterinary services.
  • Do not touch dead wild birds: report them to the authorities.

See more cat safety nets, automatic cat toys and parrot food.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still eat eggs and chicken?

Yes. Health authorities consider properly cooked poultry and eggs safe, as heat inactivates the virus.

Can my dog catch it?

Dogs appear less susceptible than cats, but it is best to stop them sniffing or biting dead birds on walks, especially near wetlands.

Will compulsory housing of poultry return?

It depends on how the situation develops. Spain's Ministry of Agriculture adjusts measures according to risk; check official sources if you keep birds at home.

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