AI outbreak in France seems to be under control

The number of cases of high-pathogenic avian influenza in France has risen to 65, the department of agriculture in Paris announced on Jan 5th. That number is only 1 higher than the week before and 2 more than just before Christmas.

The outbreak, which started mid-December in the Dordogne, rapidly spread to other regions in the south-east of the country. Most affected is the Departement of Les Landes with 27 infected premises followed by the Dordogne which has 13 cases. In the weeks before Christmas, the number of cases increased strongly.

However, half of the new cases were discovered during the compulsory inspection of birds destined for slaugher. Since that rule has been relaxed, hardly any new cases have come to light. The department stresses that the current restrictions on the transport and export of birds and hatching eggs remain in place until further notice.