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"An unprecedented case": an otter tests positive for avian flu in the Landes region
Written by
Louis Deroo
Published on
21/11/2025 at 6:17 PM
An otter has tested positive for avian influenza near Dax, in the Landes region. This is the first case in the department, which has recently been affected by numerous cases among common cranes, raising fears of a massive spread of the disease in France.
After common cranes and farmed ducks, another animal has joined the list of victims of avian flu in the region. This time, it's an otter that has been found infected in the Landes department. "An unprecedented case" for the entire department, according to the prefecture, which "demonstrates the circulation of the virus in wild animals."
As part of the Sagir wildlife health monitoring program, animal collections are carried out to detect the risk of an epidemic early on. On November 10th, an otter exhibiting respiratory, digestive, and locomotor difficulties was found in the commune of Beylongue, near Dax. After its death, it tested positive for avian influenza. For the moment, this wild mammal is the only confirmed case. Another otter with the same symptoms was found but tested negative. Vigilance therefore remains at its highest level.
Fears of a "massive spread of avian flu"
Since October 22, mainland France has been placed at high risk of avian influenza. In recent weeks, the detection of the disease in common cranes had alerted health authorities to a possible "massive" spread. Several birds had been found dead in the Arjuzanx nature reserve in the Landes region, as well as around Lake Orthez in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. While a vaccine against avian influenza has existed for two years, it is currently only available for farmed birds.
Faced with the high risk of contamination by a highly pathogenic virus, a ministerial decree has imposed preventive measures for poultry farms since October 21. "These are reinforced biosecurity measures such as sheltering the poultry, the feeding and watering of the animals in such a way that there is no contamination by birds that might fly overhead ," explained Frédérique Henrion, the departmental director of population protection for Gironde, last October .
The prefecture reminds the public that in the event of the discovery of a dead wild bird or mammal "it is imperative not to touch the animal, even with gloves" and to keep domestic animals, "especially dogs", away from it .
https://france3-regions.franceinfo....a-grippe-aviaire-dans-les-landes-3253477.html
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Landes
Beylong
Bird flu: a new case detected in an otter in the Landes region
Leila Benjelloun
Published onFriday, November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In a first for the Landes region, a case of avian influenza has been detected in an otter found sick in Beylongue, west of Mont-de-Marsan. The discovery dates back to November 10, 2025, but the Landes prefecture only issued a statement this Friday, November 21.
Two otters suffering from digestive, respiratory, and locomotor problems were discovered as part of the national SAGIR wildlife health monitoring program , jointly managed by the French Office for Biodiversity and the National Federation of Hunters. They died shortly after being collected. Tests revealed that one of the otters tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. It was found on November 10, 2025, in Beylongue, 30 kilometers west of Mont-de-Marsan.
A strong signal about the spread of the virus
In the Landes region, this is the first time a case of avian influenza has been detected in a wild carnivorous mammal . However, it is not the first such case in France or worldwide. Given the high mortality rate of migratory common cranes in this department in recent weeks, this event demonstrates the widespread circulation of the virus among wild birds.
High risk and strict guidelines
Since October 22, the entire metropolitan territory has been at a high level of epizootic risk . Authorities remind the public:
For bird owners (breeding, backyard, ornamental): apply a very high level of biosecurity.
For the public: if you find a sick or dead animal, do not touch it, even with gloves, keep domestic animals away, notify the OFB (sd40@ofb.gouv.fr / 05 58 05 07 00) or the Departmental Federation of Hunters , and inform the town hall if the animal is dead.
For professionals and volunteers : respect the protection measures (FFP2 mask, gloves, disinfection, hand washing, changing clothes…).
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/env...etecte-sur-une-loutre-dans-les-landes-2903681
"An unprecedented case": an otter tests positive for avian flu in the Landes region
Written by
Louis Deroo
Published on
21/11/2025 at 6:17 PM
An otter has tested positive for avian influenza near Dax, in the Landes region. This is the first case in the department, which has recently been affected by numerous cases among common cranes, raising fears of a massive spread of the disease in France.
After common cranes and farmed ducks, another animal has joined the list of victims of avian flu in the region. This time, it's an otter that has been found infected in the Landes department. "An unprecedented case" for the entire department, according to the prefecture, which "demonstrates the circulation of the virus in wild animals."
As part of the Sagir wildlife health monitoring program, animal collections are carried out to detect the risk of an epidemic early on. On November 10th, an otter exhibiting respiratory, digestive, and locomotor difficulties was found in the commune of Beylongue, near Dax. After its death, it tested positive for avian influenza. For the moment, this wild mammal is the only confirmed case. Another otter with the same symptoms was found but tested negative. Vigilance therefore remains at its highest level.
Fears of a "massive spread of avian flu"
Since October 22, mainland France has been placed at high risk of avian influenza. In recent weeks, the detection of the disease in common cranes had alerted health authorities to a possible "massive" spread. Several birds had been found dead in the Arjuzanx nature reserve in the Landes region, as well as around Lake Orthez in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. While a vaccine against avian influenza has existed for two years, it is currently only available for farmed birds.
Faced with the high risk of contamination by a highly pathogenic virus, a ministerial decree has imposed preventive measures for poultry farms since October 21. "These are reinforced biosecurity measures such as sheltering the poultry, the feeding and watering of the animals in such a way that there is no contamination by birds that might fly overhead ," explained Frédérique Henrion, the departmental director of population protection for Gironde, last October .
The prefecture reminds the public that in the event of the discovery of a dead wild bird or mammal "it is imperative not to touch the animal, even with gloves" and to keep domestic animals, "especially dogs", away from it .
https://france3-regions.franceinfo....a-grippe-aviaire-dans-les-landes-3253477.html
----------------------------------------------------------------
Landes
Beylong
Bird flu: a new case detected in an otter in the Landes region
Leila Benjelloun
Published onFriday, November 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In a first for the Landes region, a case of avian influenza has been detected in an otter found sick in Beylongue, west of Mont-de-Marsan. The discovery dates back to November 10, 2025, but the Landes prefecture only issued a statement this Friday, November 21.
Two otters suffering from digestive, respiratory, and locomotor problems were discovered as part of the national SAGIR wildlife health monitoring program , jointly managed by the French Office for Biodiversity and the National Federation of Hunters. They died shortly after being collected. Tests revealed that one of the otters tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. It was found on November 10, 2025, in Beylongue, 30 kilometers west of Mont-de-Marsan.
A strong signal about the spread of the virus
In the Landes region, this is the first time a case of avian influenza has been detected in a wild carnivorous mammal . However, it is not the first such case in France or worldwide. Given the high mortality rate of migratory common cranes in this department in recent weeks, this event demonstrates the widespread circulation of the virus among wild birds.
High risk and strict guidelines
Since October 22, the entire metropolitan territory has been at a high level of epizootic risk . Authorities remind the public:
For bird owners (breeding, backyard, ornamental): apply a very high level of biosecurity.
For the public: if you find a sick or dead animal, do not touch it, even with gloves, keep domestic animals away, notify the OFB (sd40@ofb.gouv.fr / 05 58 05 07 00) or the Departmental Federation of Hunters , and inform the town hall if the animal is dead.
For professionals and volunteers : respect the protection measures (FFP2 mask, gloves, disinfection, hand washing, changing clothes…).
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/env...etecte-sur-une-loutre-dans-les-landes-2903681
