A second outbreak of bird flu was detected in Calvados; France loss its free status

France has lost its highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)-free status due to two recent outbreaks in Eure and Calvados, leading to the loss of 'free status' regained on December 15. The outbreaks, detected on December 27 and 28, have resulted in the culling of around 500 poultry and necessitated additional measures such as zoning, surveillance, depopulation, and cleaning. The country remains at a 'high' risk level and is implementing a mandatory duck vaccination campaign, while the consumption of poultry products is considered safe for human health.

Two new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were detected at the end of December in Eure and Calvados, leading to the loss of the "free status" of avian influenza, which France had barely regained, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Monday. The detection of two outbreaks, "on December 27 in Eure, and on December 28 in Calvados, serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting all biosecurity measures," the ministry said in a press release. "As a direct consequence of these detections, France is losing its HPAI-free status, which it had regained since December 15," the text emphasizes. This "free" status, which offers more favorable prospects for exports, is regained if no outbreak is detected for at least 28 days throughout the territory. According to local radio France Bleu, this second outbreak of bird flu was detected in a farm near Honfleur, whose owner had obtained his poultry from the infected farm in Eure, in La Poterie-Mathieu. France remains at ...