The level of risk related to avian flu in the French metropolitan territory will increase on Wednesday from “moderate” to “high”, the highest level involving in particular the confinement of poultry, according to a decree published on Tuesday in the Official Gazette.
The decision was made “taking into account the dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza infection in the migratory corridors that cross France, with the confirmation of cases in migratory wild animals in the national territory, and the possibility of spread of the virus by these migratory birds to detained birds,” the decree states. In ten days, five outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu were confirmed, two in poultry farms and three in backyards, according to the decree, which aims to “strengthen surveillance and prevention measures.”
The epizootic risk to which poultry and other captive birds are exposed in the event of infection of wild birds with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) is classified into three categories: “negligible”, “moderate” and “high”. The risk of bird flu had been considered “negligible” since May, before being raised to “moderate” last week.
Relaxation of conditions
This year, the activation of the high level occurs earlier than in previous years, where it generally did not activate until November or even December. In case of “high” risk, poultry are especially “protected and their feed and water protected” in farms with more than 50 birds. Poultry and birds are “confined or protected by nets” in the smaller ones.
Since October 2023, these conditions have been relaxed in certain cases. Thus, breeders of chickens and guinea fowl “from the eighth week of age”, and of turkeys (from the tenth week) outdoors will be able to let their animals go out “in a reduced range without prior authorization from the prefect.” Laying hens raised outdoors can also be housed in a small field, with prior authorization from the prefect.
According to its latest European weekly report, published on October 14, the ESA surveillance platform identified 37 outbreaks in poultry farms in the European Union between August 1 and October 12, to which other cases have since been added, especially in France.
Source: BFM TV
