Paris: France has increased the warning rate of its bird flu after a severe form of virus found among backyard poultry in the northeast, above cases in neighboring Belgium and Luxembourg, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Friday.
H5N8 strains that are very contagious from Avian Influenza are found this week among ducks, chickens, turkeys and pigeons belonging to a household in the Ardennes region, with all animals slaughtered as precautions, the ministry said in a statement.
“The health situation regarding the very pathogenic bird influenza is worrying.
Since August 1, 25 cases have been detected in Europe among wild birds and prisoners,” he said.
Two cases of H5N8 were reported last week in Belgium, one in bird traders and one in a private and other home at home in Luxembourg which was associated with traders in Belgium, added the French Ministry.
The latest cases involving H5N8 bird flu strains have encouraged France to increase the risk assessment with “moderate” of “neglected”, which will lead to poultry locked in several regions, he said.
The outbreak in France will not endanger the free status of the country’s flu has just been recently recovered after the previous wave of H5N8 bird flu, the ministry added.
The outbreak of bird flu can encourage importing countries, especially in Asia, to impose trade restrictions on poultry products.
France destroyed around 3 million last winter birds in the western duck breeding area because they wrestle with the spread of viruses from wild birds to a flock of poultry.
Massive outbreaks lead the government to approve new Biosecurity steps with the poultry sector.
This includes the requirements for limiting flocks over the period of risk and commitment to reduce the density of flocks of sheep in the southwest, home to the duck-based foie gras industry in the country.