Bird flu, which made an early reappearance in the southwest in early May, continues to accelerate its progression with more than 50 outbreaks recorded on duck and chicken farms, particularly in the Gers, we learned from concurring sources on Monday.
In the Landes, 16 outbreaks have been detected, according to a press release from the prefecture published Monday evening, which specifies that “more than 250,000 animals have already been slaughtered” in this department.
Out of control situation
According to the Modef agricultural union, 900,000 animals have been slaughtered in total in the three south-western departments since the beginning of May, making it “a major crisis and not just a resurgence of the virus,” says Christophe Mesplède, the union’s vice president at the Landes. “The contamination is massive,” says the union.
In the Gers, where the situation is “evolving” according to Bernard Malabirade, a new epicenter has appeared near Masseube, in the south of the department, where several outbreaks have been detected.
“Christmas is played now”
“The virus that was previously concentrated in the west of the department is now spreading to the south,” confirmed the Gers prefecture, referring to the first cases detected near the Landes in early May. The epizootic subsided in March and April, before resuming much earlier than usual.
Although the arrival of the ducklings to the farms should take place in June, the breeders are already concerned about the production at the end of the year, essential to maintain the economy of the sector.
“Christmas is being played out now and the seriousness of this crisis is being played out today. If the depopulation continues, we are dead”, emphasizes Mélanie Martin, president of Modef.
During this 2022-23 epizootic, six million poultry were culled in France according to the Ministry of Agriculture, following the slaughter of 22 million poultry in 2021-2022.
Source: BFM TV
