Since the first case identified in the north of France at the end of November, 1,364 farms have been infected with the virus.
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Since the beginning of the bird flu epizootic in November, 16 million poultry have been slaughtered in France, a record number on the territory, announced on Monday May 2, the Ministry of Agriculture. “The epidemic peak passed at the end of March and the epizootic is decelerating”however noted the ministry.
Since the first case recorded in the north of France at the end of November, 1,364 farms have been contaminated by the virus, including 857 outbreaks recorded in Vendée and in the neighboring departments, where the authorities empty the farms via mass slaughter of sick animals. but also healthy, preventively.
Second epidemic wave
Ordinarily, crises linked to avian influenza remain generally confined to the South-West, in particular to duck farms intended for the production of foie gras. Last year, nearly 500 outbreaks were recorded in farms and 3.5 million animals, mainly ducks, slaughtered.
Avian influenza has a seasonal character. Transported by migratory birds from Asia, it usually begins to develop in October in Europe and continues until April. But for the first time, wild birds contaminated farms this year during their migration from southern countries, which led to a second wave, which is coming to an end.