Suspected cases of avian flu are emerging in the South West. Several backyards have reported sick animals in Aveyron and Gers.
Nothing helps: the avian flu continues its way in the farms of France. This December 11, suspected cases were reported in Aveyron and Gers. The prefectures of these departments have confirmed the possibility of an outbreak in this region. The concern is rigorous: the neighboring Tarn slaughtered 47,000 poultry recently. At least seven outbreaks have been identified.
On the Tayrac side, in Aveyron, precautionary measures were deployed quickly. Suspicious symptoms appeared in birds from two neighboring backyards. Analyzes are in progress. They will confirm whether it is bird flu. But in a press release, the prefecture already affirms that the results “show that this is an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus”. The unharmed animals were slaughtered.
If the measures were not long in coming, it is also because the farms are located near the Tarn department. In order to avoid any additional contamination, a decree will define a reinforced surveillance zone. The confinement of birds or the laying of nets, the ban on the gathering of live poultry, and the release of game birds will be required.
A financial risk
A 5 km perimeter has also been set up around Ségos, in the Gers. Two duck farms are possibly infected with the virus. But this one seems relatively pathogenic. Analyzes are also underway to determine the strain in circulation.
These latest cases are a blow to palmiped breeders in the Southwest. They have already had to deal with an epizootic at the beginning of 2016. It ended in a crawl space with disastrous financial consequences. Because of these outbreaks, exports outside the European Union will not be able to resume. This outbreak has no connection with the previous one. But the H5N8 strain, which is currently circulating, is highly contagious, and the animals suffer from a high death rate. This is why the government has placed the entire territory at high risk. Man, on the other hand, is at low risk of infection.
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