After having affected several European countries, the avian influenza epidemic is now wreaking havoc in France. As of March 15, 792 homes were thus contaminated in the country, particularly in the South-West as well as in Vendée and Loire-Atlantique where reinforced protective measures have been taken.
In Morbihan, a first case of highly pathogenic avian flu was also confirmed on Tuesday in the town of Ambon near Vannes, indicates the prefecture. The 15,000 ducks in the farm were slaughtered.
Enhanced surveillance within a radius of 10 km
To avoid any risk of spreading the virus to other farms, protection and surveillance zones have been set up in the municipalities located within a radius of ten kilometres. “In these perimeters, all places of detention of poultry and captive birds are subject to specific prescriptions” and “the movement of poultry and other captive birds prohibited”, specify the authorities.
All professionals in the poultry sector and private owners of poultry are also invited to shelter their animals and report any suspicious mortality.