The French Ministry of Agriculture announced today the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in chickens in the Dordogne department in southwestern France. This is the first such outbreak in France since 2007.
"A case of avian influenza has been confirmed in a backyard in Dordogne," it said in a statement.
The ministry said in a press release,"An abnormal mortality had led to the taking of samples for analysis by the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection"
H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or “bird flu”). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person. When people do become infected, the mortality rate is about 60%, according to the World Health Organization.
Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll immediately asked his services to activate a national intervention emergency plan following European and international rules, the ministry said.
The Animal Health Advisory Committee will have an emergency meeting on Nov. 26 to discuss the application of protection measures against avian influenza.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
