France has escalated the bird flu risk level from ‘moderate’ to ‘high’ on Tuesday following the detections of new cases of the disease. This development has mandated poultry farms to confine birds indoors in order to curb the dissemination of this extremely contagious virus.
The agriculture ministry’s decision was officially announced in the Official Journal on Tuesday.
In recent years, avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, has resulted in the culling of hundreds of millions of birds worldwide.
Typically prevalent during autumn and winter, avian influenza has been on the rise across several European countries in recent weeks, notably affecting Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Last week, France reported the detection of its initial bird flu outbreak on a farm this season, pinpointed in Brittany, situated in the northwest region of the country.
Yann Nedelec, director of the French poultry industry group Anvol, mentioned that another outbreak among turkeys was identified in the Somme department located in northern France last week.
Nedelec remarked, “We are approaching the most precarious phase, spanning from November to February/March, marked by decreasing temperatures and heightened migratory movements.”
The classification of a “high” risk level necessitates the confinement of all poultry within farms and the implementation of supplementary security measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
While bird flu itself is harmless in terms of food safety, its spread remains a significant concern for governments and the poultry industry due to the potential devastation it can inflict on flocks. Additionally, there is the looming threat of trade restrictions and a risk of human transmission, prompting heightened vigilance and response measures.
In a bid to combat the disease, France initiated a vaccination campaign in early October. Initially, this campaign was restricted to ducks, as they have the ability to transmit the virus easily without displaying any symptoms.
The current outbreak of bird flu this season has put the industry on alert, closely observing whether France’s strategy of vaccinating birds will demonstrate effectiveness in controlling the spread of the virus.
According to Marie-Pierre Pé, director of France’s duck and foie gras industry group CIFOG, France’s objective is to vaccinate more than 60 million ducks. However, as of the end of last month, only 70% had received their first vaccination, and just 40% had been fully vaccinated.
