Avian flu continues to progress in France, with more than a million poultry euthanized in one month, bringing the toll to 4.6 million since the summer, AFP learned on Tuesday January 24 from the Ministry of Agriculture. .
The previous assessment of this epizootic reported on December 22 the slaughter of 3.3 million poultry.
As last spring, the virus hit hard in the Pays de la Loire region, the second largest production area for French poultry after Brittany.
In detail, the ministry published on Tuesday January 24 the list of outbreaks in breeding confirmed since August 1, 2022. Of the 286 outbreaks identified, 35 were in Deux-Sèvres, one in Indre and one in Indre. -et-Loire. There are also 120 in Vendée.
He also notes an outbreak in other environments (farmyards, zoos, calling birds, ornamental birds, etc.) in Deux-Sèvres, four in Loir-et-Cher, two in Indre and two in Indre. -et-Loire.
The Epidemic is Slowing in The Great West
The discovery of new cases is slowing down in this region, but outbreaks are emerging in the South-West, in particular in the Landes and Gers, historic strongholds of foie gras.
The 2021-2022 wave, between the end of November 2021 and mid-May 2022, led to the euthanasia of more than 20 million poultry in France, the worst crisis ever recorded in this sector.
All of Europe is Affected
In Europe, 29 countries have detected avian flu on their soil since August 1, notes the French platform for epidemiological surveillance in animal health (ESA).
From October 2021 to September 2022, more than 50 million poultry were euthanized on infected European farms, according to European health authorities. A report that does not include the preventive slaughter of healthy animals around the outbreaks.
France is now the country with the most breeding households, ahead of the United Kingdom and Hungary. To limit the slaughter, the State asked to reduce the number of poultry present simultaneously in areas of western France.
Animals have been sent to the slaughterhouse early to prevent them from becoming infected and therefore lost for human consumption. Breeders must also wait before welcoming new chicks and ducklings.
In Vendée, “there are very few ducks, chickens and turkeys left,” said Christian Drouin, a breeder who has not produced any chicken since the end of September.
This article is originally published on lanouvellerepublique.fr
