A first case of Avian Flu was detected in France, in a pet store located in Haute-Corse, the Minister of Agriculture and Food said on Monday evening Julien Denormandie.
“We learned it at the beginning of the afternoon”, Julien Denormandie said in an interview for Public Senate-LCP-Le Figaro, specifying that this detection gave rise to “Euthanasia of a farm of around 200 to 300 hens” on the spot.
“We learned at the beginning of the afternoon, we have a first case of avian influenza detected this weekend in Haute-Corse”, announces @J_Denormandie. A pet store is affected. #PublicHearing pic.twitter.com/Bw6DMkXiyf
– Public Senate (@publicsenat) November 16, 2020
This detection gave rise to “Euthanasia of a farm of around 200 to 300 hens” on site, said Julien Denormandie.
“Specific surveillance measures”
As a result of this case, the Minister “Brought together all the departments of the ministry and the national reference laboratory and decided to place the whole of the metropolitan national territory at a high level of risk from November 17, 2020”, specifies the press release.
In this context, “Specific measures to monitor and limit movement around the Haute-Corse outbreak were put in place immediately to prevent any spread. Protective measures are also taken with suppliers and buyers linked to the Corsican household ”, is it added.
The minister specified that the French services have prepared in recent months for the detection on national soil of a case of avian flu.
“Limit this spread”
The disease has already appeared in other countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Ireland or Great Britain. In the last few days, cases have also been detected in Denmark as well as in Belgium.
Julien Denormandie did not rule out that other cases could be detected in France, this virus being spread through migratory birds. “Our objective is to limit this spread, it is avoidable as soon as all of these measures are taken”, he said.
However, “the consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally of any food product – does not present any risk for humans”, assures his ministry.
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