Title: France Raises Bird Flu Alert to ‘High’ Following New Cases
In response to the detection of new cases, France has elevated the risk level of bird flu from ‘moderate’ to ‘high,’ prompting poultry farms to implement measures such as keeping birds indoors to curb the spread of this highly contagious virus, as per the agriculture ministry’s decision published in the Official Journal on Tuesday.
Bird flu, scientifically known as avian influenza, has triggered the culling of hundreds of millions of birds globally in recent years. The virus typically emerges during autumn and winter, and in the past weeks, it has been spreading across various European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
France reported its first bird flu outbreak this season in Brittany, northwest France, last week. Another outbreak among turkeys in the Somme department in northern France was detected recently, according to Yann Nedelec, director of the French poultry industry group Anvol.
Entering the riskiest period from November to February/March, characterized by dropping temperatures and active migration flows, the ‘high’ risk level mandates keeping all poultry inside on farms and implementing additional security measures to prevent further spread.
While bird flu poses no harm in terms of food consumption, its potential for devastation within poultry flocks, the risk of trade restrictions, and the possibility of human transmission make its spread a significant concern for governments and the poultry industry.
To combat the disease, France initiated a vaccination campaign in early October, initially focusing on ducks due to their role as easy carriers of the virus without exhibiting symptoms. The effectiveness of France’s strategy, involving the vaccination of over 60 million ducks, is under scrutiny this season. However, as of last month, only 70% had received the first shot, and 40% were fully vaccinated, according to Marie-Pierre Pe, director of France’s duck and foie gras industry group CIFOG, raising questions about the success of the vaccination effort.
