France has spotted an outbreak of avian flu in a poultry farm in the Nord department, the first breeding outbreak identified since the episode last winter, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Saturday.
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“While avian influenza viruses are actively circulating in Europe via migratory birds, France detected on November 26 an outbreak due to a highly pathogenic strain in a laying hen farm located in the town of Warhem, in the North Department
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the ministry said in a statement.
26 countries affected in Europe
The suspicion of infection follows an abnormal mortality among the poultry on the farm.
France had already declared since the end of the summer four cases of avian influenza in wildlife and three cases in backyards on the metropolitan territory.
In Europe, 26 countries are currently affected by bird flu, involving more than 400 breeding homes and 600 outdoor cases, the ministry said.
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Sanitary measures have been taken.
The hens will be slaughtered and the home will be disinfected.
A protection zone (3 km around the home) and a surveillance zone (10 km) have been set up by the Prefect.
The consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs - and more generally of any food product made from poultry - does not present any risk for humans, recalls the ministry.