Maine-et-Loire becomes high risk, many measures reinforced

Alert in farms: due to a strong infection dynamic observed in migratory birds, notably gulls, and after the discovery of outbreaks of avian influenza in farms including the most recent in Morbihan, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to raise the alert across the entire metropolitan area.

The ministerial decree results in reinforced prevention measures now applicable to Maine-et-Loire, indicates the prefecture.

Many reinforced measures

Concretely, establishments with at least 50 poultry and other captive birds must implement confinement and netting. In establishments with more than 50 specimens, they must be sheltered. In the south-west of the department which corresponds to the area at risk of diffusion, particularly in areas with a high density of duck farms, biosecurity measures must be reinforced with, among other things, the limitation of access to these areas and the compulsory disinfection of vehicles.

In the 72 hours preceding any movement in this area at risk of diffusion, waterflies must be subject to virological screening.

These animals can only be transported in covered vehicles or equivalent systems. Gatherings of captive poultry and birds are prohibited (except for exceptions). For hunting and game bird decoys, there are additional restrictions on transportation and use.

Call for vigilance

The prefect adds that if compulsory vaccination of ducks in farms with more than 250 animals is an important prevention tool, it does not guarantee the absence of contamination . Consequently, State services are calling for vigilance and compliance with the measures by all stakeholders in the sectors concerned and owners of farmyards.