Commonground
Senior Moderator
Source: Xinhua
2025-10-23
BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Xinhua) -- Europe has seen a sharp rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as the bird flu, since September, forcing governments to raise alert levels and order mass culling.
France, Germany, the Netherlands, and others are racing to contain the virus as it spreads rapidly among poultry and wild birds. Here's what you need to know:
HOW BAD IS THE OUTBREAK?
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Europe saw a steep increase in bird flu cases in September. Bird infections jumped from 759 to more than 61,000, while poultry losses (from deaths and culling) surged from 291 to around 334,000. Germany, Spain and France are among the worst affected.
Belgium reported an outbreak on Wednesday, with 319 birds dead and over 60,000 culled. The federal food safety agency ordered all poultry to be kept indoors nationwide.
France raised its national alert level from "moderate" to "high" on Oct. 21 after reporting four outbreaks at poultry farms since early October. Meanwhile, Germany has logged infections at more than 15 farms this month, up from just four in September, and upgraded its risk level for poultry holdings to "high."
In Spain's Castilla y Leon region, the province of Valladolid has been the hardest hit, with six outbreaks affecting more than 2 million birds. Portugal has reported seven cases since September, including one at a duck farm that impacted 250,000 birds.
continued: https://english.news.cn/20251023/96d984f21f48460388b9ef1f161dc485/c.html
2025-10-23
BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Xinhua) -- Europe has seen a sharp rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as the bird flu, since September, forcing governments to raise alert levels and order mass culling.
France, Germany, the Netherlands, and others are racing to contain the virus as it spreads rapidly among poultry and wild birds. Here's what you need to know:
HOW BAD IS THE OUTBREAK?
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Europe saw a steep increase in bird flu cases in September. Bird infections jumped from 759 to more than 61,000, while poultry losses (from deaths and culling) surged from 291 to around 334,000. Germany, Spain and France are among the worst affected.
Belgium reported an outbreak on Wednesday, with 319 birds dead and over 60,000 culled. The federal food safety agency ordered all poultry to be kept indoors nationwide.
France raised its national alert level from "moderate" to "high" on Oct. 21 after reporting four outbreaks at poultry farms since early October. Meanwhile, Germany has logged infections at more than 15 farms this month, up from just four in September, and upgraded its risk level for poultry holdings to "high."
In Spain's Castilla y Leon region, the province of Valladolid has been the hardest hit, with six outbreaks affecting more than 2 million birds. Portugal has reported seven cases since September, including one at a duck farm that impacted 250,000 birds.
continued: https://english.news.cn/20251023/96d984f21f48460388b9ef1f161dc485/c.html