France raised its bird flu alert to the highest level on Wednesday after a rise in new cases in poultry and backyard flocks, triggering stricter biosecurity rules including the confinement of birds.
A government decree in the Journal officiel confirmed the risk level will move from “moderate” to “high”, the top tier in the national alert system.
The move means poultry must now be sheltered and protected from contact with wild birds – an early precaution compared with previous years.
Authorities said the decision was prompted by “the dynamic spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in migratory flyways crossing France”, with new cases detected among migratory wild birds on French territory.
Officials warned these birds could pass the virus to domestic flocks.
In just 10 days, five outbreaks of HPAI have been confirmed across the country – two on commercial poultry farms and three in smaller backyard holdings. The new decree aims to “reinforce surveillance and prevention measures” to limit further spread.
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Early warning
France classifies bird flu risk in three categories – negligible, moderate and high. The level had remained “negligible” since May before being raised to “moderate” last week.
This year’s shift to the highest alert comes earlier than usual. In previous seasons, it was typically activated in November or December.
Under the “high risk” designation, birds must be sheltered indoors or protected by nets. On larger farms with more than 50 birds, feeding and watering systems must also be covered to prevent contamination from wild species.
Smaller flocks must be either confined or kept under netting.
Since October 2023, France has slightly eased certain confinement rules to ease the strain on free-range producers.
Poultry farmers raising chickens and guinea fowl can, from eight weeks of age, and turkeys from 10 weeks, let their birds outside – but only in restricted areas and without needing prior approval from local authorities.
Laying hens kept outdoors may also continue to roam within a reduced enclosure, provided farmers obtain the green light from their regional prefecture.
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A Europe-wide concern
According to the European health surveillance platform ESA, 37 outbreaks of avian influenza were reported in poultry holdings across the EU between 1 August and 12 October, with additional cases since then – including several in France.
While the jump to “high risk” status will add new constraints for French farmers, officials hope early action will prevent a repeat of the devastating waves of bird flu seen in recent years.
With tighter monitoring and earlier containment, authorities aim to keep both flocks and consumers safe as migratory birds begin their autumn journeys.
(with newswires)
