The French government has set a high alert status for bird flu across the country as the virus spreads across Europe, the agriculture ministry said on Friday (11/5/2021).
Why this is important: The move will extend the requirement to keep poultry indoors, a measure that has been in place in certain areas since September.
How many cases: Ministry in the statement quoted from BETWEEN said since early August, 130 cases or clusters of bird flu have been found in wild animals or on farms in Europe. Three cases were identified in a backyard flock of birds in northeastern France.
What are the preventive measures: The government is tightening controls to protect poultry farms. The obligation to keep poultry indoors will be adjusted, taking into account production activities such as free-roaming breeding methods, he said.
Previous steps: France culled about 3 million birds last winter at a duck farm in the southwest as authorities grapple with the spread of the virus from wild birds to flocks.
How about in other regions: Elsewhere in Europe, Dutch authorities last week ordered commercial farms to confine all livestock after a bird flu case was reported on a farm.
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