France Reports H5N1 Avian Flu Outbreak in Poultry

France has reported a new case of avian flu on a duck farm in the southwest of the country, according to the ministry of agriculture.

In a statement issued this week, the ministry said: "The highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus was found in the Gers administrative county on a farm that breeds ducks for foie gras, the liver pate specialty.

The statement also revealed that all ducks on the affected site, as well as flocks on seven other nearby farms, would be slaughtered to stem the spread of the virus.

Lately, eight outbreaks have occurred on different farms, with the previous seven cases all occurring in the north, according to the ministry.

In response to this issue, the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Julien Denormandie, urged all professional sectors, hunters, and inpiduals holding birds to maintain extreme vigilance and to strictly respect protection measures against avian influenza.

In addition to this, Denormandie called on them to report any suspicion without delay to the health authorities in the department.