To cope with the return of avian flu, the entire French territory, including Maine-et-Loire, is at high risk. Additional measures have been announced by the prefecture.
Outbreaks of avian flu have been detected in several farms – © Fotolia
A strong infection dynamic is currently observed in migratory wild birds crossing France, particularly in populations of gulls. The latter are responsible for several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in different French departments. The risk of contamination is today considered “high” throughout the country.
Reinforced prevention measures in Maine-et-Loire
The prefecture of Maine-et-Loire announced this Wednesday, November 13, 2024, a strengthening of protection measures. This is the “ confinement or netting of poultry and other captive birds in establishments keeping fewer than 50 poultry, captive birds (farmyards); sheltering poultry and other captive birds in establishments with more than 50 poultry and captive birds; the strengthening of biosecurity measures in the zone at risk of diffusion (ZRD) in the southwest of the department, particularly in areas with a high density of duck farms; the transport of waterflies only in covered vehicles or equivalent systems; the ban on gatherings of poultry and captive birds, except for exemptions ».
The prefecture also recalls that “ although compulsory vaccination of ducks in farms with more than 250 animals is an important prevention tool, it does not guarantee the absence of contamination “. It calls for vigilance to all stakeholders in the professional sectors concerned, as well as to owners of farmyards.
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