France - Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in a poultry farm in the Nord department

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Location of Nord in France
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nord_(French_department)
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Avian flu - A first outbreak detected on poultry farms in the Nord department

Updated
12/22/2023

In the Nord department, the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) was confirmed on December 20 in a poultry farm in the commune of Warhem, following the observation of abnormal mortalities among the poultry on the farm. . Investigations are underway to identify the origin of the introduction of the virus. This is the first breeding outbreak highlighted in the department this season.

In accordance with health management rules, surveillance and control measures were immediately taken.

The home is depopulated and disinfected without delay.

Around the outbreak, and to prevent any risk of spread, a protection zone covering the municipalities within a 3 kilometer radius and a surveillance zone (municipalities located within a 10 kilometer radius) were set up by prefectural decree of December 20 2023 (below).

The municipalities located in the protection zone are : Hondschoote (part of the municipality west of the D947), Killem and Warhem.

The municipalities located in the surveillance zone are : Bambecque, Bergues, Bierne (part of the municipality east of the N225), Herzeele (part of the municipality north of the D17), Ghyvelde, Hondschoote (part to the west of the D947), Hoymille, Leffrinckoucke (part of the commune south of the D601), Oost-Cappel, Quaëdypre, Rexpoëde, Socx, Téteghem-Coudekerque-Village, Téteghem-Village, Uxem, West-Cappel, Wylder.

Strict health measures must be observed by all bird keepers, and the movement of poultry is prohibited.

In these areas, operators contribute to the reinforced monitoring of the health situation with regard to avian influenza and by carrying out self-checks on their poultry.

Restrictions on hunting waterfowl and birds are also imposed in protection and surveillance zones.

In particular, hunting of waterfowl and, in wet areas, feathered animals, is prohibited.

The release of game birds and the use of decoys for waterfowl hunting are prohibited.

Departmental and regional livestock and hunting stakeholders are informed of the situation.

The consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally any poultry-based food product – presents no risk to humans.

Outside of this outbreak and the regulated zone established with the surveillance and protection zones, the national HPAI risk level remains high given the health situation with regard to avian influenza in Europe and France, in wildlife.

Mobilization to stem the spread of the virus must be collective: all poultry owners, whether they are farmers, other professional keepers, or individuals (farmyards) must respect strict biosecurity measures to avoid contamination of their animals. by wild birds: confinement or sheltering of poultry, declaration of their breeding or backyard, surveillance, and alert of the health veterinarian or the departmental directorate for the protection of populations in the North in the event of mortality and signs abnormal clinics.
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https://www.nord.gouv.fr/Actualites...vage-de-volailles-dans-le-departement-du-Nord

 

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Translation Google​


Avian influenza: the Northern prefect calls for collective responsibility

Updated 01/01/2024

The presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) was confirmed on December 20 in a poultry farm in the municipality of Warhem (North), then on December 27 in a turkey farm in the municipality of Alveringem ( Belgium) and on December 29 in a breeding hen farm in the commune of Furnes (Belgium).

The discovery of these outbreaks required the issuance of a prefectural decree dated December 29, 2023 (
https://www.nord.gouv.fr/contenu/telechargement/93083/665663/file/Recueil%20n%C2%B0389 %20du%2029%20d%C3%A9cembre%202023.pdf ) establishing protection zones (3km radius) and surveillance zones (10km radius).

In order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, the prefectural decree regulates several activities in these areas, including hunting activity. Hunting of game birds in wetlands and hunting of waterfowl are prohibited. The transport, release and use of decoys for waterfowl hunting are prohibited. Likewise, the transport and release of game birds is prohibited (except for an exemption for the transport of gallinaceae).

Aware of the significant constraint that these measures represent for users, the Prefect of the North emphasizes that these measures are essential to prevent the epidemic from spreading to the rest of the department and to adjacent departments, and that the restricted areas are not extents.

In the general interest, the Northern Prefect will enforce these regulations and checks will be carried out.

The Prefect of the North calls for the collective responsibility of hunters, and of all users affected by the restrictions on activities within regulated zones.

https://www.nord.gouv.fr/Actualites...ord-en-appelle-a-la-responsabilite-collective
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Avian flu - The Northern prefecture is changing measures relating to restricted areas

Updated
01/23/2024

The Northern prefecture is changing the measures relating to restricted areas.

In 2023, the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) was confirmed on December 20 in a poultry farm in the commune of Warhem (North), then on December 27 in a turkey farm in the commune of 'Alveringem (Belgium) and on December 29 in a breeding hen farm in the commune of Furnes (Belgium).

The discovery of these outbreaks required the issuance of a prefectural decree dated December 21, 2023 establishing protection zones (3 kilometer radius) and surveillance zones (10 kilometer radius). In these areas, drastic regulations apply intended to limit the risk of spreading this contagious disease present in wildlife:

• reinforced health surveillance among poultry keepers present in the area;
• strong restrictions on the movement of poultry and captive birds;
• strong restrictions on the movement of poultry meat;
• ban on the transport of decoys and the hunting of game birds and waterfowl.

Although restrictive, these measures were essential in order to prevent the epizootic from spreading to the rest of the department and adjacent departments, as well as to the restricted zones being extended.

For several weeks, no new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on farms in the Nord department has been detected. All of the samples taken from poultry from breeding establishments and small holders located in regulated zones resulted in favorable results.

On the one hand, since January 19, it is now possible to hunt feathered game such as waterfowl in the part of the restricted zone located beyond a radius of 5 kilometers around the home. This hunt can be carried out either without decoys or with resident decoys, in other words, not transported. Within a radius of 5 kilometers, hunting remains prohibited.

Finally, since January 22, 2024, (see the list of municipalities concerned in the attachment, annex 1) the measures applicable to the protection zone have been lifted. Therefore, the less strict measures applicable to the surveillance zone apply in particular with regard to the movement of live birds.

Finally, from January 27, 2024, the surveillance zone will be lifted (see the list of municipalities concerned in the attachment, appendix 2) if the health situation remains satisfactory.
Consequently, all regulatory provisions relating to the restricted zone will be repealed.

The Northern prefecture calls for the collective responsibility of all users affected by the activity restrictions within the regulated zone.

Press release
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https://www.nord.gouv.fr/Actualites...-les-mesures-relatives-aux-zones-reglementees

 

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