the risk becomes “high” in France, here’s what that means

AVIAN FLU – Maximum alert level. The risk of avian flu will change from Saturday to “ moderate ” has “ pupil “the highest level, according to a decree published this Friday, November 8 in the Official Journal. This level of risk concerns the whole of France and will notably lead to the confinement of poultry.

The decision was made considering the strong and persistent dynamics of infection in migration corridors and the spread of the virus by these migratory birds passing through mainland French territory”. That “ aims to strengthen surveillance and prevention measures”details the text which comes into force “ the day after its publication ».

The risk to poultry and other captive birds in the event of infection of wild birds with an avian influenza virus is classified into three levels: “negligible”, ” moderate “ et ” pupil “. In case of risk “ pupil “poultry are notably “ sheltered and their feeding and watering are protected” in farms with more than 50 birds. Poultry and birds are “ enclosed or protected by nets” in the smallest.

Outbreaks detected in Morbihan and Finistère

In Europe, the avian influenza virus has been detected in 24 countries and the number of outbreaks is increasing, especially in Hungary, according to the latest weekly bulletin from the French animal health epidemiological surveillance platform. The bulletin identifies a “ a strong infection dynamic present since the end of September and increasing in wild birds ».

France remained at risk level “ pupil ” from December 2023, before it is lowered to “ negligible » end of April 2024. It had been raised to “ moderate ” on October 16. In total, “ six poultry outbreaks, two captive bird outbreaks and ten wild cases » have been identified since the start of the season, notably five in Morbihan and three in Finistère.

The avian flu epidemic, which is more widespread in America, Europe, Africa and Asia, affected France from 2015 to 2017 and then almost continuously since the end of 2020. The country has euthanized tens of millions of poultry in recent years. recent years. The economic losses amount to billions of euros.

To hope to break this spiral, the government has decided to make vaccination compulsory in farms of more than 250 ducks (excluding breeding ducks) at the end of 2023. The 2024-2025 campaign, 70% supported by the State, has been launched. early October in France.

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