Comparing 5 Avian Flu seasons
#16,297
With more than 100 reported avian influenza outbreaks across Europe over the past 60 days, yesterday the UK declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone For All of Great Britain, and today France's Ministry of Agriculture put their nation on high alert as well.
Compared to last year's record setting avian epizootic in Europe (see chart above), this year is getting off to an earlier start, raising concerns of what may be on the way.
And this year, there are fresh concerns that the European H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b viruses - that previously were viewed as only endangering poultry and wild birds - may be gaining more mammalian adaptations, which could increase their threat to humans (see CDC Adds Zoonotic Avian A/H5N8 To IRAT List).
Avian influenza: France moves to a “high” risk level in France and strengthens crisis governance in the face of the spread of the virus in Europe
Pascal Xicluna / agriculture.gouv.fr
05/11/2021
COMMUNICATED
Julien Denormandie, Minister of Agriculture and Food, placed the entire metropolitan area at "high" risk in view of the rapid progression of the avian influenza virus in Europe. Reinforced prevention measures will therefore be applied in order to protect poultry farms. They are accompanied by a strengthening of crisis management systems within the ministry in conjunction with the territorial services and professionals.
Since the beginning of August, 130 cases or outbreaks of avian influenza have been detected in wildlife or in farms in Europe, particularly on the shores of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, including three outbreaks in farms Germans. At the same time, the confinement of all professional farms was decided in the Netherlands following the detection of an outbreak in a farm of laying hens. In Italy, six outbreaks have been detected in broiler turkey farms in the Verona region since October 19.
In this context and with the approach of the migratory period at risk, France is in a situation of strong vigilance. 3 contaminated backyards are identified in the departments of Ardennes and Aisne. A first increase in the level of risk took place on September 10, leading to the implementation of a set of reinforced biosecurity measures in the communes classified at risk (priority risk zones and zones at risk of dissemination).
The acceleration of the epizootic in Europe is leading to a transition to the “high” risk level with the application of the following preventive measures throughout the metropolitan territory:These measurements are accompanied by daily clinical monitoring in all farms (commercial and non-commercial). Their purpose is to protect domestic poultry from potential contamination. In areas with a high risk of distribution, samples will be taken before movement and only people essential to the operation of the farms may enter them. Density reductions in areas affected by previous crises are also underway as this risky period approaches.
- sheltering poultry from commercial farms and securing or netting backyards;
- ban on the organization of gatherings and the participation of poultry originating in the territories concerned;
- enhanced conditions for transport, introduction into the natural environment of game birds and use of decoys;
- ban on racing pigeon competitions departing or arriving from France until March 31;
- compulsory vaccination in zoos for birds that cannot be confined or protected under netting.
The sheltering methods have been adapted to take into account the production conditions, in particular for open-air breeding or under specific specifications. The purpose of these adaptations is to ensure a high level of protection against the risk of introducing the virus into farms.
The increase in the level of risk does not call into question the status of "country free from avian influenza" recovered by France on September 2.
The increase in the level of risk follows scientific and health recommendations with the aim of protecting itself as much as possible from the dramatic consequences for the poultry sectors, already severely affected by the crisis of November 2020 - May 2021. It intervenes after information on November 4 of the professionals in the poultry industry and the National Federation of Hunters.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is strengthening its governance for anticipation and responsiveness in the event of outbreaks in breeding in France. As foreseen by the roadmap drawn up with professionals on July 8, 2021, crisis governance is therefore evolving with, at the national level, the forthcoming appointment of an influenza crisis director in charge of steering the management of the crisis in link with the six poles of the crisis unit of the Directorate-General for Food (DGAL). At the territorial level, the prefect of the western defense zone, Madame Fabienne Buccio, prefect of Nouvelle Aquitaine, has been appointed as pilot.
State services are also working to define ways of managing a possible crisis based on scenarios that take into account the number of outbreaks or their location. Preparation exercises are conducted in several departments. Finally, the Immunization Outlook Working Group met last week and a work plan was shared with stakeholders.
“The evolution of the avian influenza epizootic in Europe is leading us today to raise the level of risk and to take the necessary measures to guarantee the protection of our sectors. I therefore appeal to everyone's responsibility. State services are and will be fully mobilized by their side, ” declared Julien Denormandie, Minister of Agriculture and Food.
As a reminder, avian influenza is not transmissible to humans through the consumption of poultry meat, eggs, fatty liver and more generally any food product.
Even without an increased zoonotic risk, large avian epizootics pose a serious economic threat as they can require the destruction of millions of birds, drive up food prices, create food shortages, increase food insecurity, and even siphon off critical resources that could be otherwise used to deal with our ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
While Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are most at risk for large avian flu outbreaks, North America is far from immune, having lost nearly 50 million birds in the spring of 2015 to H5N8 (see map below).
Which is why, in addition to following COVID19 and the potential return of seasonal influenza, we'll be following the spread of avian influenza as well this fall and winter.
Stay tuned.
