Prohibited movement of poultry, accelerated euthanasia: strict measures have been put in place in Vendée, where 187 outbreaks of avian flu have been recorded in 130 municipalities, in order to deal with the resurgence of the epidemic, the prefecture announced on Saturday.
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After hitting the Southwest again this year, avian flu is affecting departments located further north, such as Vendée, triggering a new campaign of mass slaughter, in addition to the four million poultry already euthanized this season.
A dedicated crisis unit has been activated within the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) of Vendée, announced the prefecture in a press release.
To limit the spread of the virus, "
all movements and repositioning of poultry are also prohibited throughout the department
".
"
Depopulation operations are accelerated with the support of additional specialized means around strategic sites, in particular breeding farms
," the statement added.
In addition, the rendering capacities have been supplemented "
by means of regulatory landfills, in particular through the mobilization of the technical landfill centers of the department
", adds the prefecture.
A strict health protocol for “
transporting hatching eggs and day-old chicks to disease-free areas
” has also been established in consultation with experts.
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The prefecture also announces that breeders will be compensated for direct health losses related to the slaughter of poultry and costs related to the disinfection of premises.
Indirect economic losses will also be assessed.
In its press release, the prefecture recalls that the health security measures currently in force also apply to private owners of farmyard and ornamental birds.