An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed on a farm in Ille-et-Vilaine. This is the first outbreak on farms confirmed in France since last winter’s outbreak. Restricted zones have been set up around the affected farm. The risk of HPAI remains “negligible” on the national territory, the French government said.
In a statement, the French agriculture ministry said the first outbreak of the 2024-2025 season was detected on 12 August on a multi-species poultry farm. It is the first confirmed outbreak in France since January 16.
An epidemiological investigation is underway. The main hypothesis is contamination via wildlife. and several cases have been observed in seabirds along the Breton coast in recent weeks.
As a result of the outbreak, France has lost its ‘HPAI-free’ status. This status can be regained 28 days after the end of cleaning and disinfection operations and in the absence of new outbreaks.