November 30, 2023

France reports highly pathogenic bird flu outbreak in turkey farm

France has identified an outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu virus on a turkey farm northwest of the country, according to the country’s agriculture ministry, Reuters reported.

This outbreak marks the first farm case this autumn and aligns with the ongoing seasonal wave of infections spreading across Europe. The outbreak in the Brittany region is in proximity to where an infected wild bird was discovered, as confirmed by the ministry.

While several cases among wild birds have been recorded in recent days, the government has elevated the national alert level for bird flu from negligible to moderate. In response, the ministry has mandated the confinement of poultry flocks in areas particularly exposed to contact with wild birds, requiring them to be kept indoors.

Bird flu, or avian influenza, has led to the culling of hundreds of millions of birds in previous years. Typically prevalent in Europe during autumn and winter, the virus has recently been detected on farms in various countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, and Hungary.

In efforts to counter the disease's impact, which has disrupted the poultry meat and egg supply, leading to price surges globally, France initiated a vaccination campaign against bird flu in early October. Initially targeting ducks, which are more susceptible to the virus, the campaign addresses the segment that constituted only 8% of total French poultry output in 2022.

-      Reuters