Avian influenza: the situation in France ​​​​​​​ (March 16, 2024 )

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Thierry Degen/Terra

November 28, 2023 Press release

Avian influenza: Faced with the observed increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife, with a first outbreak detected in a French farm, France is raising its risk level


The decree published on November 28 in the Official Journal raises the risk level from “negligible” to “moderate” across the entire metropolitan territory. It has the effect of strengthening prevention and biosecurity measures for the breeding sectors but also for hunters. This measure is taken as an outbreak in breeding has just been recorded in France in Morbihan, the first case of autumn 2023.

For several weeks, Europe has recorded a dynamic spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) in migratory wild fauna (greylag geese and barnacles in particular) but also in farms in Northern Europe (Germany, Denmark, Netherlands) and central Europe, particularly in Hungary.

These detections concern a certain number of countries (Denmark, Netherlands, Germany in particular) located upstream of the migration routes which cross France. Germany, Sweden and Austria have identified the virus in different species of migratory birds.

The infection pressure linked to migratory wildlife will therefore gradually increase in France. 4 common cranes have already been confirmed infected with HPAI in the Meuse (Lake Madine) and in the Camargue in recent days, as well as a herring gull in Morbihan. On November 27, close to the gull found infected, a turkey farm was declared an HPAI outbreak; all measures are being taken to manage this first outbreak in breeding in the fall of 2023.

Visit the ESA platform for more information on the situation in Europe.

Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has taken the decision to raise the risk level from “negligible” to “moderate” across the entire metropolitan territory: ministerial decree .

This decision leads to the immediate implementation of reinforced prevention and biosecurity measures by both individuals and professional actors, including:

• Shelter for all poultry in areas at particular risk ( ZRP ) ^[1]
• Sheltering of web-footed animals less than 42 days old in zones at risk of diffusion ( ZRD ) ^[2] from breeding by wild fauna.
• Covering vehicles transporting waterflies
• Restrictions on the transport and use of decoy birds (hunting)
• Restrictions on gatherings of poultry and captive birds.

The list of municipalities affected by ZRDs and ZRPs is available on the website of the official bulletin of the Ministry of Agriculture .

All applicable measures are described in the ministerial decree of 09/25/2023 .

These reinforced measures complement the compulsory vaccination campaign launched in France since October 1 ^for commercial farms keeping more than 250 ducks. Surveillance, biosecurity and vaccination are complementary pillars of HPAI prevention.

_{[1] ZRP : particular risk zone in which natural conditions increase the risk of contamination of farms by wildlife.
[2] ZRD : area at risk of diffusion with a high density of poultry farms}


https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenz...pathogene-iahp


See also:
France - Avian flu: an outbreak identified in a Morbihan farm, the “first case of the fall"

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/europe/h5n1-tracking/france/982354-france-avian-flu-an-outbreak-identified-in-a-morbihan-farm-the-%E2%80%9Cfirst-case-of-the-fall

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Translation Google

December 05, 2023 Press release

Avian influenza: France places its territory at a “high” risk level to strengthen the protection of poultry farms


While a first outbreak in livestock farming was detected in Morbihan at the end of November, and the infection dynamic in Europe continues, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty took the decision to raise to its maximum the level of epizootic risk with regard to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Preventive measures are being strengthened to protect poultry farms. The continuing strong dynamic of HPAI virus infection recorded in Europe, while a first contamination of a farm had been detected a few days ago in France [1], has now led the public authorities to place all of the territory at high risk level with regard to HPAI. The decree was published this Tuesday, December 5 in the Official Journal .

This decision, one week after an initial increase in the level of risk, ensures better protection of farms in the face of the threat represented by the strong circulation of the virus in migratory wildlife.

The transition to “high” risk generalizes the following prevention measures throughout the territory :

• Closure or protection by nets of birds kept in establishments with fewer than 50 poultry or captive birds (farmyards, zoos);
• Shelter and protection of feeding and watering of birds in establishments keeping more than 50 poultry;
• Mandatory equipment of vehicles intended for the transport of waterflies over three days old with tarpaulins or equivalent preventing any significant loss of feathers and down by a full or empty truck ;
• Prohibition of gatherings of poultry and captive birds;
• Ban on racing pigeon competitions until 04/10;
• Restrictions on the transport of calling birds and a ban on the release of game birds of the Anatidae family.

In areas at risk of diffusion (ZRD), i.e. with a high density of poultry farms, the following measures are made compulsory:

• HPAI virological screening during movements of batches of palmipeds ready to fatten between two farms, thus complementing the surveillance already put in place as part of the Official HPAI Vaccination Plan.
• Restriction of access, disinfection of vehicles.

All applicable measures are described in the ministerial decree of 09/25/2023 .

These prevention measures complement the compulsory vaccination campaign launched in France since October 1 ^for commercial farms keeping more than 250 ducks. Surveillance, biosecurity and vaccination are complementary pillars of HPAI prevention.

[1] Press release dated 11/28/2023

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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenz...r-renforcer-la

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Avian flu: “The situation is worrying”, warns the deputy director general of the health agency Anses

“Several outbreaks” of contamination have been identified “in eastern France but also in Brittany” according to Gilles Salvat.

Article written by France Info
Radio France
Publishedon 06/12/2023 07:12

"The situation is worrying" , warned Wednesday December 6 on France Inter Gilles Salvat, deputy director general of Anses (National Agency for Health and Food Safety), while the government raised on Tuesday the level of risk linked to avian flu in mainland France at its maximum . This decision was taken in particular because of the presence of the virus in “wild birds which descend from North to South for their winter migration, passing over French territory”.

The executive is also taking precautions after the detection of “several” contaminated homes “in the east of France but also in Brittany” , explains Gilles Salvat. The authorities have observed "since last week, four outbreaks, including three in Morbihan and one in the Somme, in turkeys which have contaminated domestic birds, leading to the slaughter of these birds" . He estimates that in recent weeks "a few tens of thousands of turkeys have been slaughtered" .

The ducks seem spared for the moment

The Deputy Director General of ANSES also notes that unlike previous years, ducks seem spared by the virus. “We hope that it is linked to the fact that we vaccinate the ducks ,” maintains Gilles Salvat. In fact, vaccination in farms of more than 250 ducks has been made compulsory in France. Since then, ANSES has recorded “8 million first doses administered and 6 million booster doses” .

To control the virus, the Deputy Director General of ANSES calls for "sheltering the birds" , but recognizes that "this is not enough" . “It is therefore absolutely necessary to strengthen biosecurity measures, that is to say everything that the breeder does to avoid bringing the virus into his breeding” , argues Gilles Salvat. He explains that currently no vaccination is authorized in France for turkeys. If "vaccines exist" and have notably been tested in Italy, "they are much less effective" , assures the deputy general director of the health agency. It further specifies that "the Ministry of Agriculture considered that it was immediately difficult to vaccinate turkeys, because these vaccines do not currently have marketing authorization" .

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/grippe-aviaire/grippe-aviaire-la-situation-est-inquietante-alerte-le-directeur-general-delegue-de-l-agence-sanitaire-anses_6226182.html

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December 20, 2023 Info +

Avian influenza: the situation in France

Faced with the observed increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife, France has been at high risk since December 5, 2023 ( decree of December 4, 2023 qualifying the level of risk in terms of avian influenza highly pathogenic ).

Six outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed on farms in France between November 27 and December 20, 2023. These are the first HPAI outbreaks detected this fall in France. Five of these outbreaks involved indoor turkey farms, four in Morbihan, one in the Somme. The most recent outbreak, confirmed on December 20, was detected in a laying hen farm in the Nord department.

Management measures in case of outbreaks

When an outbreak is detected, health measures are deployed to limit the spread of the virus:

In infected establishments:
o Depopulation of households;
o If necessary, preventive killing of animals within a perimeter defined by prefectural decree;
o Cleaning and disinfection of sites.

In establishments close to infected establishments: establishment of restricted zones (protection and surveillance zone) with reinforced measures:
o Increased surveillance;
o Reinforced biosecurity (protection from birds);
o Prohibition of poultry movements;
o Restriction of feathered game hunting activities.

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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-la-situation-en-france

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January 4, 2024 Info +

Avian influenza: the situation in France

Faced with the observed increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife, France has been at high risk since December 5, 2023 ( decree of December 4, 2023 qualifying the level of risk in terms of avian influenza highly pathogenic ).

Seven outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed on farms in France between November 27, 2023, the date of the first HPAI outbreak detected this fall in France, and January 2, 2024. Five of these outbreaks concerned farms of turkeys in buildings (four in Morbihan, one in the Somme). The two most recent outbreaks were confirmed on December 20, 2023 in a laying hen farm in the Nord department, and on January 2, 2024 in a duck farm in Vendée.

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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-la-situation-en-france

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January 12, 2024 Info +

Avian influenza: the situation in France
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Nine outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed on farms in France between November 27, 2023, the date of the first HPAI outbreak detected this fall in France, and January 10, 2024. Six of these outbreaks concerned farms of turkeys in buildings (four in Morbihan, one in the Somme and one in Vendée). The three outbreaks affected a laying hen farm in the Nord department and two duck farms in Vendée.
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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-la-situation-en-france

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January 24, 2024 Info +

Avian influenza: the situation in France
...
Ten outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were confirmed on farms in France between November 27, 2023, the date of the first HPAI outbreak detected this fall in France, and January 18, 2024. Six of these outbreaks concerned farms of turkeys in buildings (four in Morbihan, one in the Somme and one in Vendée). The four other outbreaks affected a laying hen farm in the Nord department and three duck farms in Vendée.
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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-la-situation-en-france

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Avian flu: France has recorded 30 times fewer outbreaks of contamination this year

Monday to Friday at 6:51 a.m., 8:21 a.m. and 11:26 a.m.

This winter, France was largely spared from this infection which can affect almost all species of birds, wild or domestic. The risk level for avian flu, considered "high" since December, has just been lowered to "moderate" on Saturday.

Article written byAnne Le Gall
Radio France
Published on 03/18/2024 06:51
Update on 03/18/2024 07:46

France has just lowered its risk level for avian flu . It goes from “high” to “moderate”, which makes it possible again for poultry to be taken outdoors on farms. The Ministry of Agriculture announced this on Saturday March 16. This is good news because since December, poultry could no longer stay outdoors. From now on, outings are possible again, with this lowered level of risk. France has only recorded 10 outbreaks of avian flu on farms since August 2023. This is 30 times fewer than during the previous season. A welcome improvement, because between 2021 and 2023, France has had to slaughter 30 million poultry contaminated by avian flu.

Several factors explain this improvement. Less circulation of the virus in wildlife, while the migrations of birds crossing France towards the north are coming to an end. France has detected 300 fewer wild outbreaks than in 2022. We must also see a positive effect of the vaccination of ducks made compulsory for the first time this winter on farms, underlines Jean-Luc Guérin, professor at the National veterinary school of Toulouse. More than 21 million ducks received at least one injection against bird flu this year.

The question of extending vaccination in the future to other poultry such as chickens or turkeys is nevertheless not resolved because of its impact, around 100 million this year. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture recalls the importance of measures other than vaccination to fight against avian flu, "biosecurity" measures, such as disinfection of equipment, reduction of water points, installing protective nets or wild bird scaring systems to block transmission of the virus. Some 92 poultry farms have been selected to test new pilot measures starting this March. The objective is to find effective alternatives to compulsory confinement.

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/le-billet-vert/grippe-aviaire-la-france-recense-30-fois-moins-de-foyers-de-contamination-cette-annee_6402169.html

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March 16, 2024 Press release

Avian influenza: the improvement of the health situation makes it possible to lower the level of risk from the “high” level to the “moderate” level

As of March 16, France has recorded a total of ten outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on farms since the first detection on a farm on November 27, 2023. For comparison, 315 outbreaks were recorded on the same date. last year.

At the European level, the virus currently has a low health incidence in the ascending migration corridors crossing France, both on the northern front (Baltic Sea, North Sea, Channel), and on the east/southeast front (Central Europe). , Italy, Switzerland).

These favorable health elements, resulting from the reduced circulation of the virus in Europe and especially from the unprecedented vaccination campaign successfully conducted by France, are leading the ministry today to lower the HPAI risk level to the “moderate” level from March 18. France has been at a “ high” risk level since December 5, 2023 .

The lowering of the risk level makes it possible, on the one hand, for ducks to go outdoors and, on the other hand, for other poultry to go outside without restriction.

However, access conditions remain planned for wetlands located under migration corridors (known as special risk zones or ZRP) and zones at risk of diffusion (ZRD) with a high density of duck farms :

In ZRDs and ZRPs, ducks over 42 days old can go outside to an outdoor range adapted to reducing contamination of wildlife, after the veterinarian's favorable opinion.
In ZRP, free-range laying hens, turkeys over 8 weeks old and broilers and guinea fowl over 6 weeks old can go out on adapted runs for animal welfare reasons.
Furthermore, in order to prevent the risk of spread, any movement from one farm to another farm must be preceded by virological tests for ducks that have been on outdoor ranges.

This improvement in the health situation should not, however, lead to a relaxation of prevention. All stakeholders in the sector are asked to maintain their vigilance and respect strict application of the biosecurity measures in force.

“ The lowering of the level of risk given the favorable health situation rewards the unfailing involvement of the breeding sectors, veterinarians and the State in the vaccination campaign and, more broadly, the daily prevention against this virus. »

Marc Fesneau

Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

https://agriculture.gouv.fr/influenza-aviaire-lamelioration-de-la-situation-sanitaire-permet-dabaisser-le-niveau-de-risque-du