An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) type H5N1 was confirmed on yesterday on a duck farm located in the municipality of Manciet in the south of France.
It is the first poultry outbreak found in the southwest since last winter’s outbreak that strongly affected this region, said the French ministry of agriculture.
It is the eighth breeding outbreak in France, including seven outbreaks in the Northern Department (H5N1), and an additional 11 cases in wildlife (H5N1), and three cases in low-pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in metropolitan territory.
Julien Denormandie, Minister of Agriculture and Food, called on all professional sectors, hunters and individuals holding birds to maintain extreme vigilance and to strictly respect protection measures against avian influenza. He asked them to report any suspicion without delay to the health authorities in the department.
In accordance with health management rules, the facility was depopulated and disinfected preventively today. A protection zone of 3 kilometres and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometres are being established around the home. In order to control the risk of spreading the virus, poultry movements are prohibited in these areas where strict health measures must be observed.