December 9, 2020

France confirms first H5N8 bird flu farm outbreak this year

The French Ministry of Agriculture and Food has confirmed the country's first farm outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus at a duck farm in Benesse-Maremne municipality, southwest of the country, Reuters reported.

The ministry said the ANSES national reference laboratory confirmed the H5N8 infection at the farm of 6,000 ducks, adding that a security zone was set up around the farm and that all ducks on the farm have been culled.

France has reported the H5N8 bird flu among birds sold in three pet stores. Investigations into the infection has found that the birds were supplied by the same person from northern France.

The ministry said three wild swans and one wild goose found dead have also been confirmed to be infected with the H5N8 bird flu virus.

Europe has seen a rising number of bird flu cases, believed to be spread by wild birds. The region's poultry industry is on high alert after previous bird flu outbreaks have resulted in tens of millions of birds culled.

- Reuters