- France has raised its bird flu threat level to “high” after new cases of the disease were detected.
- The elevated threat level is forcing farmers to keep their poultry indoors, which is key to preventing the spread of the virus.
- An avian influenza vaccination campaign began in October, with about 70% of ducks receiving the first dose by the end of last month.
Increased threat of bird flu
France has raised its threat level from “moderate” to “high” following the detection of new cases of bird flu. The Agriculture Ministry’s decision was published Tuesday in the Official Gazette. Bird flu has led to the slaughter of hundreds of millions of birds worldwide in recent years.
Implications for the poultry industry
Recent outbreaks in France have caused concern in the poultry industry. The high threat level is forcing poultry farmers to keep their poultry confined to prevent further spread of the virus. This closure could affect the production and availability of poultry products on the market, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.
Vaccination Initiative
As a precautionary measure, France launched an avian influenza vaccination campaign in October. Initially focused on ducks, which can transmit the virus without showing symptoms, the campaign aims to increase flock immunity. By the end of last month, about 70% of the ducks had received the first dose of vaccine, and 40% had been fully vaccinated. Experts are monitoring the situation to assess the effectiveness of this strategy in preventing the spread of the disease among flocks.
