The level of risk of avian flu will drop a notch in France on Sunday, going from "high" to "moderate", according to an order dated April 26 published in the Official Journal on Saturday April 29. The decree is based on "the reduction in the incidence of cases of avian influenza in wild birds and the end of upward migrations on the metropolitan territory" and "the reduction in the number of cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in neighboring countries ".
This means that the reinforced biosecurity measures, in particular the confinement of poultry and systematic tests if an outbreak is detected within 20 kilometers of a farm, are no longer compulsory throughout the territory but only in areas at risk. . France had been in a high risk level since the beginning of November 2022.
22 million animals killed in 2021-2022
Since March, the country has experienced a sharp slowdown in the increase in the number of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) outbreaks on its territory. This stabilized at 315 households in mid-March and has not seen any further increase since, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. Since March 14, no case has been identified in French farms, after the detection of a last outbreak in the Center-Val-de-Loire.
“Nevertheless, as of April 21, two departments are still affected by outbreaks of avian influenza on French territory, and cases of HPAI in wildlife continue to be detected; professionals in the poultry sector and the general public (walkers, hunters, etc.) must therefore maintain their vigilance and respect the rules of prevention, "added the ministry.
Vigilance remains in order, because, if the mortalities in wild fauna have decreased sharply in France, they remain important in Europe, had underlined the government. In 2021-2022, the epizootic led to the slaughter of 22 million poultry in France.
