France sees an outbreak of bird flu as the virus spreads back to Europe

PARIS, Sept. 10 (Reuters) – France has raised bird flu alert after severe form of the virus was found among northeastern poultry, in addition to cases in neighboring Belgium and Luxembourg , reported on Friday the Ministry of Agriculture.

The highly contagious strain of H5N8 bird flu was found this week among ducks, chickens, turkeys and pigeons belonging to a home in the Ardennes region, with the slaughter of all animals as a precaution, the ministry said in a statement. a statement.

“The health situation of highly pathogenic avian influenza is worrying. Since August 1, 25 cases have been detected in Europe among wild and captive birds,” he said.

Last week, two cases of H5N8 were reported in Belgium, one at a bird seller and one at a private home, and another at a Luxembourg home that has been linked to the seller in Belgium, he added. French ministry.

Recent cases related to the H5N8 strain of bird flu caused France to increase its risk assessment to “moderate” from “insignificant,” which would lead to poultry being confined inland in some areas.

The outbreak in France would not compromise the avian flu-free state the country had just achieved after a previous wave of H5N8 bird flu, the ministry added.

Outbreaks of avian influenza may force importing countries, especially in Asia, to impose trade restrictions on poultry products.

France killed about 3 million birds last winter in the southwestern duck breeding region as it faced the spread of the virus from wild birds to poultry herds.

The massive outbreak led the government to agree on new biosecurity measures with the poultry sector.

These include the requirement to confine herds during periods of risk and the commitment to reduce herd density in the southwest, where the country’s duck foie gras pâté industry is located.

Reports by Gus Trompiz and Sudip Kar-Gupta; edited by Andrew Heavens and Jason Neely

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