Spain has mandated the indoor confinement of free-range poultry to curb the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, currently classified as a panzootic (a pandemic in the animal kingdom). The virus is spreading massively among bird and mammal species globally and is moving closer to humans. Experts stress that H5N1 has not yet mutated enough to spread easily between people. Monitoring the animal world through a “One Health” approach is critical to preventing a future human pandemic.
November 17, 2025 https://www.independent.co.uk