Avian influenza: the situation in France – News

Avian influenza in its highly pathogenic form (HPAI) is a highly contagious animal disease, which can infect many species of wild and farmed birds. This disease spreads rapidly among birds, causing very high mortality and significant consequences, both on farms and for wildlife.

If the department of Seine-et-Marne is to date free from avian influenza. At the national level, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry issued a ministerial decree on November 9 qualifying the level of risk (IAHP) as “High” throughout the national territory. This decision is based on the strong and persistent dynamics of the circulation of the virus in wild avifauna in Europe, particularly in the migration corridors crossing France.

The objective is to strengthen biosecurity measures to protect farms, in a clear manner, in a context of strong viral circulation in wildlife.

The specific measures applicable throughout the national territory are as follows:

• Closure or protection by nets of birds kept in establishments with fewer than 50 poultry or captive birds (farmyards, zoos);

• Shelter and protection of feeding and watering of birds in establishments keeping more than 50 poultry;

• Mandatory equipment of vehicles intended for the transport of waterflies over three days old with tarpaulins or equivalent preventing any significant loss of feathers and down by a full or empty truck;

• Prohibition of gatherings of poultry, captive birds and the organization of homing pigeon competitions;

• Restrictions on the transport of calling birds and a ban on the release of game birds of the Anatidae family.

The vigilance of all stakeholders, particularly breeders, bird keepers and veterinarians is recommended in order to do everything possible to limit the spread of this virus on the national territory. This requires in particular the flawless application of biosecurity measures.

News and information on the Ministry of Agriculture website, click here!