PARIS (REUTERS)

Germany and Portugal have reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on farms, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Wednesday, as Europe faces a seasonal upturn in the deadly disease.

The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has raised concerns among governments and the poultry industry after it ravaged flocks around the world in recent years, disrupting supply, fuelling higher food prices and raising the risk of human transmission.

The H5N1 virus was detected in a flock of 2,800 laying hens in the town of Schenefeld, causing the death of 100 birds, the Paris-based WOAH said, citing a report from the German authorities.

In Portugal, the H5N1 virus was detected in a flock of 257,650 fattening ducks in the town of Samora Correia near Lisbon, causing the death of 1,011 birds, the WOAH added, citing a report from the Portuguese authorities.