Avian flu: the threat returns

Faced with the evolution of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife and on livestock farms, France finds itself at high risk from November 9, 2024. The ministerial decree raising the level of HPAI risk at high for the entire metropolitan territory was published this November 8 in the Official Journal.

This decision leads to the immediate implementation of reinforced prevention and biosecurity measures Biosecurity measures (routine or reinforced) will reduce the risk of introduction and spread of the virus within livestock farms and backyards.

• Shelter and protection of feeding and watering of birds in establishments keeping more than 50 poultry
• In establishments with fewer than 50 poultry or for captive birds (farmyards, zoos), confinement or protection of detained birds by nets;
• Mandatory equipment of vehicles intended for the transport of waterfowl older than three days with tarpaulins or equivalent, preventing any significant loss of feathers and down by a full or empty truck;
• Prohibition of gatherings of poultry and captive birds;
• Restrictions on the transport of calling birds and a ban on the release of game birds of the Anatidae family.

In risk areas with a high density of poultry farms, the following measures are made obligatory:

• HPAI virological screening during movements of batches of palmipeds ready to fatten between two farms, thus complementing the surveillance already put in place as part of the Official HPAI Vaccination Plan;
• Restriction of access and disinfection of vehicles.

In the department of Gers, as throughout the territory, influenza viruses (sometimes with a weakly pathogenic typing) are circulating, as evidenced by analyzes carried out before movement or as part of vaccination surveillance. An HPAI outbreak was confirmed on November 6 in Landes. No proven cases to date in the department. The Gers Chamber of Agriculture in a press release reminds all stakeholders in the sector of the need to maintain vigilance with regard to HPAI and to respect the application of biosecurity measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture page https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-les-mesures-de-biosecurite-pour-les-operateurs-professionnels-et-les-particuliers allows you to know the different measures to be taken set up

RAPPEL : Consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally any poultry-based food product – presents no risk to humans.