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Faced with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, health authorities are mobilizing and reminding the public of preventive measures.
In recent weeks, the number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has increased across the country, particularly along the Atlantic coast. In this context, the Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Food Sovereignty, Public Health France (SpF), and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) are strengthening their cooperation in the prevention, surveillance, and control of HPAI viruses and are reassessing the risk to human health.
Published on November 27, 2025
Press contacts
Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities
alertes-presse@sante.gouv.fr
Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty - ministry
presse@agriculture.gouv.fr
Public Health France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr
Anses
presse@anses.fr
Avian influenza viruses have been circulating internationally for several years, primarily among wild birds and domestic poultry. These viruses can occasionally be transmitted to humans, resulting in what is known as avian influenza. In recent years, several hundred cases have been reported worldwide, but none have yet been identified in France. Furthermore, no cases of human-to-human transmission have been observed globally.
Reassessment of the risk analysis for human health
Avian influenza viruses are currently circulating actively internationally and in Europe. The number of HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms is increasing rapidly in France (more than 60 farms affected as of November 27) and in neighboring countries. It is at levels higher than those observed at the same time in the previous two years. Migratory birds represent a significant risk for the spread of the virus. Furthermore, these viruses can also infect mammals.
Thus, in France, four foxes and one otter have recently been found to be infected. This is due to the intense circulation of HPAI viruses in France and among several species.
With animal exposure, the risk of human exposure increases. This is why Public Health France, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), and the Pasteur Institute conducted a health risk analysis. The analysis concluded that the risk level is estimated to be "low" for the general population and "low to moderate" for those most exposed, particularly those working on poultry farms.
The risk level for HPAI in poultry farms was raised to its highest level on October 22nd, allowing for the implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures, such as the isolation of poultry. Additional measures have been put in place in the departments currently most affected (Vendée, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, and Deux-Sèvres) to limit the spread of the virus within duck and turkey farms.
Implemented since October 2023, mandatory vaccination in France for farms with more than 250 ducks aims to reduce the number of HPAI outbreaks in duck farms, but also to help limit viral pressure and thus reduce the number of outbreaks for other poultry species.
Close monitoring of the health status of farm animals aims to detect disease as early as possible and take appropriate management measures.
Preventing HPAI outbreaks in livestock means limiting the risk of the virus spreading within the general population.
Strengthening surveillance in human health
In parallel, the health authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture are extending active surveillance of avian influenza (SAGA) to the entire territory among people exposed to the viruses in order to be able to confirm, at an early stage, any human cases and put in place the appropriate management measures.
In parallel and as a precautionary measure, all healthcare professionals have been made aware of the need to quickly detect any human cases.
Reminders of the procedure to follow
For professionals exposed to animals or an environment contaminated by an avian influenza virus, it is essential to protect themselves by wearing protective clothing, a respiratory protection mask, goggles or a visor and sealed gloves, and to wash their hands after contact.
If symptoms appear, even mild ones (fever, headache, muscle pain, cough and shortness of breath, conjunctivitis), within 10 days of exposure, it is recommended to:
This vaccination protects professionals against the seasonal flu virus.
Thus, in the event of exposure to an avian virus, the risk of co-infection is limited, which helps to reduce the risk of the emergence of a new influenza virus, of avian origin, but having acquired from the seasonal virus characteristics that facilitate human infection or human-to-human transmission.
This year, in addition to professionals in the poultry and pig sectors, veterinarians, agents from the departmental directorates for population protection visiting farms, and those involved in the SAGIR network (wildlife disease surveillance) are encouraged to get vaccinated. The national health insurance system and the agricultural social security system (MSA) are responsible for sending vaccination vouchers to all these professionals.
As a reminder, the public is strongly advised against touching dead or sick wild animals.
While the national and international situation requires vigilance, we can reduce the risk of human infection. To achieve this, protective measures must also be respected by all individuals likely to come into close contact with infected birds and mammals.
To learn more:
Faced with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, health authorities are mobilizing and reminding the public of preventive measures.
In recent weeks, the number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has increased across the country, particularly along the Atlantic coast. In this context, the Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Food Sovereignty, Public Health France (SpF), and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) are strengthening their cooperation in the prevention, surveillance, and control of HPAI viruses and are reassessing the risk to human health.
Published on November 27, 2025
Press contacts
Ministry of Health, Families, Autonomy and Persons with Disabilities
alertes-presse@sante.gouv.fr
Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty - ministry
presse@agriculture.gouv.fr
Public Health France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr
Anses
presse@anses.fr
Avian influenza viruses have been circulating internationally for several years, primarily among wild birds and domestic poultry. These viruses can occasionally be transmitted to humans, resulting in what is known as avian influenza. In recent years, several hundred cases have been reported worldwide, but none have yet been identified in France. Furthermore, no cases of human-to-human transmission have been observed globally.
Reassessment of the risk analysis for human health
Avian influenza viruses are currently circulating actively internationally and in Europe. The number of HPAI outbreaks in poultry farms is increasing rapidly in France (more than 60 farms affected as of November 27) and in neighboring countries. It is at levels higher than those observed at the same time in the previous two years. Migratory birds represent a significant risk for the spread of the virus. Furthermore, these viruses can also infect mammals.
Thus, in France, four foxes and one otter have recently been found to be infected. This is due to the intense circulation of HPAI viruses in France and among several species.
With animal exposure, the risk of human exposure increases. This is why Public Health France, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), and the Pasteur Institute conducted a health risk analysis. The analysis concluded that the risk level is estimated to be "low" for the general population and "low to moderate" for those most exposed, particularly those working on poultry farms.
- Download the risk analysis
- Download the "Update on: Active surveillance of people exposed to a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak (SAGA): review of the experiment conducted from 2023 to 2025 and outlook for 2025-2026"
The risk level for HPAI in poultry farms was raised to its highest level on October 22nd, allowing for the implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures, such as the isolation of poultry. Additional measures have been put in place in the departments currently most affected (Vendée, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, and Deux-Sèvres) to limit the spread of the virus within duck and turkey farms.
Implemented since October 2023, mandatory vaccination in France for farms with more than 250 ducks aims to reduce the number of HPAI outbreaks in duck farms, but also to help limit viral pressure and thus reduce the number of outbreaks for other poultry species.
Close monitoring of the health status of farm animals aims to detect disease as early as possible and take appropriate management measures.
Preventing HPAI outbreaks in livestock means limiting the risk of the virus spreading within the general population.
Strengthening surveillance in human health
In parallel, the health authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture are extending active surveillance of avian influenza (SAGA) to the entire territory among people exposed to the viruses in order to be able to confirm, at an early stage, any human cases and put in place the appropriate management measures.
In parallel and as a precautionary measure, all healthcare professionals have been made aware of the need to quickly detect any human cases.
Reminders of the procedure to follow
For professionals exposed to animals or an environment contaminated by an avian influenza virus, it is essential to protect themselves by wearing protective clothing, a respiratory protection mask, goggles or a visor and sealed gloves, and to wash their hands after contact.
If symptoms appear, even mild ones (fever, headache, muscle pain, cough and shortness of breath, conjunctivitis), within 10 days of exposure, it is recommended to:
- Contact a doctor immediately, specifying that you have been in contact with animals that are infected or suspected of being infected, so that they can prescribe a PCR flu test;
- While awaiting the results, apply barrier gestures such as wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, regular ventilation, disinfection of surfaces, etc. to avoid further human infections or contaminating your environment.
This vaccination protects professionals against the seasonal flu virus.
Thus, in the event of exposure to an avian virus, the risk of co-infection is limited, which helps to reduce the risk of the emergence of a new influenza virus, of avian origin, but having acquired from the seasonal virus characteristics that facilitate human infection or human-to-human transmission.
This year, in addition to professionals in the poultry and pig sectors, veterinarians, agents from the departmental directorates for population protection visiting farms, and those involved in the SAGIR network (wildlife disease surveillance) are encouraged to get vaccinated. The national health insurance system and the agricultural social security system (MSA) are responsible for sending vaccination vouchers to all these professionals.
As a reminder, the public is strongly advised against touching dead or sick wild animals.
While the national and international situation requires vigilance, we can reduce the risk of human infection. To achieve this, protective measures must also be respected by all individuals likely to come into close contact with infected birds and mammals.
To learn more:
- What to do in case of risky exposure and the appearance of symptoms
- Avian Influenza Disease Fact Sheet
- Everything you need to know about avian influenza
- Avian influenza: current health risks for animals and humans