France has announced that it is free from highly pathogenic avian influenza after over a month without any new outbreaks. Despite this status, authorities remain vigilant due to the virus’s rapid spread across Europe.
Since early August, France recorded 12 outbreaks in commercial farms and three cases in backyard poultry. However, surveillance measures at the sites of the most recent infections were lifted last week.
Regaining bird flu-free status under international guidelines may ease trade restrictions imposed by some importing nations following outbreaks, providing potential relief to the French poultry industry.
A vaccination program for farm ducks, introduced in 2023, has been credited with aiding the control of the virus. Ducks, which are a key part of foie gras production, are particularly susceptible to bird flu. The vaccination effort is set to continue into 2025.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the virus has shown signs of spreading beyond poultry. Authorities recently reported the country’s first severe human case, linked to suspected exposure to an infected backyard flock, raising concerns about cross-species transmission.
