Those are the first cases of bird flu in a farm of the Channel. After wild gulls found dead, this time it was chickens from the Fraserie farm, in Saint-Martin-le-Hébert in Bricquebec-en-Cotentin, who were infected with the avian influenza virus. As a precaution, all the poultry on the farm had to be slaughtered this Friday, July 29, and the Manche prefecture is establishing two surveillance and protection zones.
8,500 poultry slaughtered as a precaution
These first cases were observed on Wednesday July 27. “We found five dead chickens, with stains on their legs and beaks”, describes Alain Langlois, breeder of Fraserie. Other poultry did not look well. Suspicions of avian flu quickly confirmed by the DDPP (Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations). Result, as a precautionary measure, the 8,500 poultry (chickens, ducks and laying hens) on the farm were slaughtered.
A blow for breeding. “We have to start from scratch or almost. We have at least six weeks of cleaning and at least three months without processing activity”, blows the farmer. He hopes that his 17 employees will at least be able to benefit from technical unemployment. Stocks of meat and livestock products are currently unsaleable.
A protection zone and a surveillance zone
To avoid contamination on other farms, the Manche prefecture took drastic measures this Saturday, July 30. A protective area was defined, three kilometers around the farm, in the municipalities of Bricquebec-en-Cotentin, Rocheville, Rauville-la-Bigot and Sottevast. In this area, all poultry must be confined but also counted by veterinary services. The transport of dead or alive birds, meat or eggs is prohibited, and hygiene measures are reinforced when entering and leaving farms.
A second monitoring area is also set up within a radius of ten kilometers, on 34 municipalities around farming. There, the poultry must also be confined. These two zones are valid for at least 21 days.
– The Prefecture of La Manche