Newcastle disease outbreak in Valladolid forces culling of 1.2 million birds and triggers mandatory vaccination across Castile and León

Outbreak scale and immediate culling

Since June 2026, at least 15 foci of Newcastle disease have been detected in the province of Valladolid, with early cases in Valencia now contained. The outbreak has forced the sacrifice of more than 1.2 million birds, and the count is still rising. On 6 July, a broiler farm in Tordesillas with 125,000 birds that had not been vaccinated showed a mortality increase of 0.56 percent, adding the latest confirmed focus. Affected municipalities include Íscar (five outbreaks), La Pedraja de Portillo, Olmedo, Montemayor de Pililla, Aldea de San Miguel, San Vicente del Palacio, Megeces, Cogeces, and Tordesillas.

The impact of the virus is great for the companies. To the sacrifice of the animals you have to add the loss of income from the stoppage of activity during the control periods and the measures that must be adopted of cleaning, disinfection and emptying.

Economic toll and human health reassurances

Direct losses exceed 12 million euros, but the regional government warns total damage could reach several tens of millions once compensation for idle farms, biosecurity upgrades, and market disruption are counted. Eggs have been immobilised because they can spread the virus, not because they pose a risk to consumers. Authorities stress repeatedly that Newcastle disease cannot be transmitted to humans, aiming to calm public concern.

We are very worried about this disease, due to its important economic repercussions. I want to send a message of calm because there is no impact on public health.

Mandatory vaccination ordered

On 10 July, the Official Bulletin of Castile and León (BOCYL) published a resolution making vaccination against Newcastle disease compulsory for all commercial poultry production and reproduction farms, excluding self-consumption holdings. The measure takes effect on 1 August in Valladolid and Segovia, and on 1 September for the rest of the autonomous community. Farms must administer at least two doses, though the agriculture coordinator noted that up to four may be needed for full protection.

In some of the infected farms there were vaccinated animals, but vaccinated incompletely. For the vaccine to be effective, more than two doses are needed, up to four. Vaccination does not work at 100%, but it generates cross immunity and helps to limit viral spread.

Plan to empty affected zones

Beyond culling infected flocks, the regional government announced it will next week remove all animals from farms located in the restricted zones, a total of around 1.5 million birds. Infected animals will be destroyed, while healthy birds may be sent to slaughter for consumption. The operation aims to depopulate the area and minimise the risk of further dissemination. The same resolution authorises on-site burial of carcasses, manure, and other contaminated materials under strict conditions, including a minimum distance of 250 metres from any water supply, to avoid the epidemiological risk of transporting such waste.

We are going to try to remove the animals that are in the farms that are not affected, to minimise the risk that the virus continues to spread.

Government coordination and compensation

The Junta of Castile and León is advancing indemnity payments to affected farmers and has called on the national Ministry of Agriculture to cover 50 percent of the costs. Daily meetings between veterinary services and the sector continue, and the councillor praised the dedication of official veterinarians. The regional government is also intensifying biosecurity measures for personnel entering farms and for transport vehicles, describing collaboration with the Ministry as close. While the outbreak in Valencia has been brought under control with much lower impact due to more dispersed farms, Valladolid remains the national epicentre.