A temporary control zone had been set up within a radius of 20 km around Strasbourg after the discovery of a case of bird flu in a seagull at the end of January.
All the communes of Bas-Rhin are now affected by the temporary control zone set up after the discovery of several cases of avian flu in the Grand Est region, the prefecture announced in a press release on Thursday.
Cases have been detected in particular in black-headed gulls, migratory birds that facilitate the transmission of the virus.
On January 30, the corpse of an infected seagull was discovered in Strasbourg, prompting the Bas-Rhin prefecture to set up a temporary control zone within a radius of 20 km around the avian flu outbreak.
Measures to protect farms
This zone is no longer sufficient, “the prefect of Bas-Rhin has decided to extend the temporary control zone to all the municipalities of the department”.
Measures to protect farms and prevent the spread of the virus are now in place in all municipalities in the department. Domestic birds must therefore be sheltered in order to avoid any contact with wildlife.
Report dead or sick birds
The prefecture also recalls that it is forbidden to pick up and transport wild birds, whether they are alive or dead. Dead or sick birds must be reported to the town hall, in order to allow the intervention of State services.
The temporary control zone will only be lifted once no new cases of bird flu have been detected in wildlife and farms.
The prefecture recalls, however, that the consumption of poultry meat, foie gras or eggs does not represent any risk for humans.
