On August 17, 2016, the prefecture of Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) confirmed the presence of an outbreak of Avian Flu “Low pathogenic” and “residual” in a duck farm. On August 11, the company EARL Pleyt (located in the town of Sévignacq, near Pau) was forced to slaughter 2,500 birds before force-feeding. The goal: to extinguish the source of the virus, prevent its spread and mutation.
“The virus detected is weakly pathogenic, but the precautionary principle applies,” said the prefecture in a press release. As a reminder, avian flu (also called H5N1 flu) is a disease of Asian origin which causes an infection of the digestive system in birds, especially in chickens and turkeys: we speak of an epizootic.
No contamination possible for humans
The influenza-like virus (such as flu, in humans), mutates easily and spreads easily. However, to date, no human-to-human transmission has been recorded. In addition, the authorities point out that there is no risk of contamination for humans, whether through direct contact with ducks or following the consumption of duck meat.
The prefecture has also imposed a restricted zone of 1 kilometer around the farm: within this perimeter, the owners of bird farms must declare themselves to the authorities (prefecture) and ensure that the animals are confined in order to avoid any contact with wild animals. The transport of live birds is also prohibited.
In France, avian flu has not disappeared. According to the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Forestry, 81 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for poultry have been detected in 10 departments of southwestern France: in particular, there are 31 homes in the Landes.
