PARIS (Reuters) -France has raised its bird flu alert level to 'high' from 'moderate', requiring poultry farms nationwide to keep birds indoors as Europe faces a seasonal resurgence of the disease.
France Elevates Bird Flu Alert Level to 'High' Amid New Outbreaks
Overview of Bird Flu Situation in France
PARIS (Reuters) -France has raised its bird flu alert level to 'high' from 'moderate', requiring poultry farms nationwide to keep birds indoors as Europe faces a seasonal resurgence of the disease.
Recent Outbreaks and Impact
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a seasonal disease spread by migratory birds. It has led to the culling of tens of millions of poultry worldwide in recent years, disrupting production and raising fears of human transmission.
Government Response and Measures
"This decree... was issued following evidence of infection among migratory wild birds in Europe, including France, and the confirmation of several outbreaks in poultry farms," the agriculture ministry said in the government's official journal.
Seasonal Trends in Bird Flu
So far, two bird flu outbreaks have been detected on poultry farms and three in backyard flocks, the ministry said in the decree. A first case had been detected in mid-October at a pheasant and partridge breeding farm in northern France.
The change in status will take effect on Wednesday.
The upgrade to risk status in the seasonal assessment is kicking in earlier than previous years, taking effect in October compared to November last year and December in 2023.
(Reporting by Gus Trompiz and Sybille de La Hamaide, Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
