PARIS, – France has confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza at two poultry farms, the French Ministry of Agriculture announced, just days after the virus was officially declared.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as avian influenza, has spread across Europe in seasonal waves linked to migratory birds, but its impact has been less severe than in the United States, where flock losses have caused record egg prices. connections and the spread of the virus. It infects cattle and humans.
French authorities confirmed new cases on December 27 and December 28 at two farms in northwestern Normandy, the ministry said in a statement late Monday.
“As a direct result of these outbreaks, France will lose its HPAI-free status, which it only regained on December 15,” the report said.
Avian influenza freedom status means that no outbreaks have been reported on the farm for at least one month. This classification may result in the lifting of trade restrictions from importing countries.
France has credited a vaccination program launched a year ago with curbing the spread of bird flu compared to previous seasons. The plan focuses on farm ducks, which are bred specifically for foie gras pâté and are thought to be particularly susceptible to bird flu.
Nevertheless, the country remains on high alert against the virus, given the continuing risk of contamination from migratory birds, the ministry said.
In a separate notification to the World Animal Health Organization, French authorities detailed that the outbreaks occurred on farms raising 25,000 and 540 poultry birds, respectively, and that the entire flock had been culled as a safety measure. mentioned.
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany also confirmed a new outbreak of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Bavaria, where 16,000 chickens were also slaughtered, according to a notice to WOAH published on Monday.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to the text.
