Hunting has been suspended on a portion of the maritime domain of La Manche going from Granville to the southern limit of the department due to the presence of the avian influenza virus on wild birds, announced Friday the prefecture of Manche.
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The avian influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu, was found "
on populations of wild birds (red knot) in winter,
" the prefecture said in a statement.
This situation "
testifies to significant health risks for wild avifauna and for poultry farms
", specified the prefecture.
Faced with a risk of “
spreading the pathogen
”, the authorities consider that it is necessary to “
limit the disturbing factors of wild birds to contain this risk of dispersion
”.
Thus, the prefecture of Manche issued an order suspending hunting in the maritime public domain between the Roc lighthouse in Granville and up to the Manche Ille-et-Vilaine limit until January 31.
As of January 21, France had 378 confirmed outbreaks of “
highly pathogenic avian influenza
” in duck and poultry farms, mainly in the South-West, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture.
