Fifty-three outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), which mainly affects cattle, have been identified in the south-west of France, according to the latest report published Friday by the Ministry of Agriculture.
On September 29, the ministry reported 19 outbreaks of this disease, which does not infect humans. In eight days, the number of homes has almost tripled. As of October 5, France has counted MHE outbreaks in the departments of Hautes-Pyrénées (30 outbreaks), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (12 outbreaks), Haute-Garonne (8 outbreaks), Gers (2 outbreaks) and Landes. (1 household), the ministry told AFP.
Furthermore, “a case of MHE infection of deer was detected in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The animal was located near cattle farms which had themselves declared the disease,” according to the press release.
“The situation remains evolving”
Transmitted by biting midges, the disease mainly affects deer and cattle. It causes fever, weight loss, mouth lesions, breathing difficulties, lameness. In deer, it can trigger hemorrhagic syndrome, hence its name. In cattle, it is fatal in less than 1% of cases, according to experts.
A security perimeter, with a radius of 150 kilometers around a farm infected with the virus, was set up on September 25, accompanied by an exit ban for the animals – although with several exceptions such as a trip to the slaughterhouse.
The detection of new outbreaks led the authorities “to extend the list of departments affected by the restricted zone”, extended to part of three new departments (Aveyron, Dordogne, Hérault). “The situation remains evolving,” we emphasize.
The “surveillance zone” now concerns entirely or partially 15 departments: it entirely includes Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Lot-et-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne, and also concerns part of Gironde, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, Aveyron, Dordogne and Hérault.
“Any animal required to leave the regulated zone linked to confirmed outbreaks of this disease must have previously undergone a laboratory screening test attesting to the absence of contamination, in addition to the disinsection already planned,” indicated last week the ministry.