A laughing seagull found dead on February 22 is the first case of avian influenza which was identified in the North, according to the prefecture which calls for vigilance.
- A laughing mounette found dead in Bray-Dunes on February 22 is the first case of avian flu identified in the North.
- The number of cases has increased in Europe for a few weeks on wildlife.
- Several homes have notably been demonstrated in Belgium, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands.
The first case of avian influenza identified in the North is confirmed. It is a laughing mounette found dead, Bray-Dunes, on February 22. According to the prefecture, the animal suffered from highly pathogenic avian influenza (IAHP). “”On February 24, the same virus was identified on laughing seagulls found dead in Department of Aisne in Saint-Quentin and Tergnier (laon arrondissement)indicates the press release of the Northern Prefecture. In Europe, especially on the front along the Channel, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the number of cases has been increasing for a few weeks on wild fauna and since February 17, several households have been highlighted in poultry farms: 2 in Belgium, 2 in the Netherlands, 1 in Northern Ireland ”.
Aviary flu: “Some of these avian origin viruses can infect mammals including human beings”
LA avian flu designates several entities, including the influenza a (influenza A) virus, which touches the birds. But, according to The Pasteur Institute. “”Some of these viruses of avian origin can punctually pass the barrier from the species and infect mammals including human beings”. According to MSD manualtwo strains of the virus are responsible for most cases of avian flu in humans: H5N1 and H7N9. Pseudo-Grippal symptoms are the same for these two strains, that is to say muscle pain, cough, fever or even sore throat. Although “the transmission of animals to humans is rare “, It exists. Human beings can be contaminated during close contact with infected animals or their secretions/excrement.
To protect it, The Pasteur Institute of Lille recommends avoiding:
- High risk places, such as poultry farm farms
- Direct contacts with birds
- surfaces contaminated by excrement or bird secretions
The call to vigilance to fight avian flu
Since November 9, 2024, the IAHP risk was brought high at France in Francewhich makes it possible to strengthen the prevention measures throughout the territory, such as the shelter of animals to avoid contact with wild birds. “”The Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Northern populations calls for the greatest vigilance on the part of all the actors concerned: breeders, bird holders (farmyard, farms, parks, etc.) and veterinarians, said the press release from the Northern Prefecture. It is crucial to implement all biosecurity measures to limit the propagation of the virus”. Nevertheless, the North prefecture reassures by recalling that “Avian influenza is not transmitted to humans by consumption of meat or eggs of avian origin, nor other food products from poultry”.
