PARIS, April 30 (Reuters) – France has reported outbreaks of bird flu on two farms in the southwest, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Thursday, just days after the country eased restrictions linked to the disease.
The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza has alarmed governments and poultry producers after devastating flocks in recent years, disrupting supplies, driving up food prices and raising the risk of human transmission.
The H5N1 virus was detected in chickens and vaccinated ducks, causing the death of 270 birds out of a total 5,062, the Paris-based WOAH said, citing reports from French authorities. The remaining birds were subsequently culled as a precaution.
Last week, France had lowered its bird flu risk assessment, citing improvements in the situation among farms and wild birds.
France has been among the countries hardest hit by bird flu and began vaccinating ducks in 2023. While the vaccine reduces the risk of transmission, it does not completely prevent infection.
Bird flu is a seasonal disease that typically appears in the fall with migratory birds, and decreases in the spring.
(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Bernadette Baum)
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