Another case of avian flu in Île-de-France.
In Essonne, the prefecture took health measures after a buzzard corpse was discovered infected with the avian influenza virus on December 28, 2022 in Villebon-sur-Yvette.
According to the administration, the disease was confirmed by tests on January 6.
“This is the third confirmed positive case in wildlife in Île-de-France since December 19,” said the Essonne prefecture in a press release published on Friday.
Contaminations have recently been detected on seagulls in Val-de-Marne and Val-d'Oise.
This virus is particularly harmful to birds in Europe.
It is easily transmitted through migrating birds or native wildlife, and remains active in droppings or stagnant water.
For the State, the priority is to protect farms from potential contamination.
In a decree dated January 6, the prefecture thus orders extensive health checks in all poultry farms located within a radius of less than 20 kilometers from Villebon-sur-Yvette.
This area includes 110 communes of Essonne.
110 towns in Essonne under surveillance
Inside this zone, the sheltering of birds will be reinforced and laboratory analyzes will be carried out frequently.
With the general public, the prefecture reminds that it is not recommended to "visit wetlands (edges of ponds, ponds and rivers) where wild birds are stationed, including in their absence, due to the possible presence of viruses in droppings and soiled soil.
If no alarming signs are detected within 21 days, and no other animal is found infected in wildlife, then the temporary control zone will be lifted.
The level of risk vis-à-vis avian influenza has passed to the “high” stage, indicates the prefecture of Essonne, which leads to a strengthening of health measures in all the barns of France.
In the event of a suspicious death of a bird in the temporary zone of 20 kilometers around Villebon-sur-Yvette, you can report it to the interdepartmental federation of hunters in Ile de France (FICIF) (01.34.85.33.00) or to the departmental branch of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) (07.63.99.54.74 or 06.46.54.26.18).