France Detects Avian Flu Outbreaks During Eradication Efforts
FRANCE - Two more outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been identified in France as part of increased monitoring efforts against the disease.
20 July 2016
2 minute read
By: France has had 79 outbreaks of HPAI in total since the spread of the disease began in November last year. The outbreaks mainly affected waterfowl farms in the south west, where many birds are fed for foie gras production.
The new detections occurred during the restocking phase of France's avian flu eradication plan, which followed earlier depopulation and disinfection steps. The French Agriculture Ministry said the new outbreaks are due to the high pressure of infection that existed in the area, and justify the strict biosecurity measures in place across the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture found one of the new outbreaks on a waterfowl breeding operation in Aveyron after checks on health status of farms in the region. The other new outbreak was found in Dordogne. Over 6000 birds died or were destroyed as a result of the outbreak.
The affected farms will be depopulated followed by a cleaning and disinfection operation, and strengthened surveillance will operate in a 10km radius around the farm.
The Ministry said a comprehensive review of all the controls on approximately 1000 poultry farms in the south west will be presented in September. It will draw lessons from the eradication strategy deployed in the area.
