An outbreak of avian flu was detected last week in a family barnyard, in Fourques (Gard), at the gates of the Camargue, which constitutes a "first" in the Gard, indicated Monday the services of the prefecture of department.
This case of avian influenza (H5N1), a highly contagious viral infectious animal disease, was confirmed on November 4 in backyard birds, chickens, ducks and geese.
"This case is probably linked to wildlife insofar as wild birds (especially Mallard ducks) regularly mingle with domestic poultry in the backyard", explains the prefecture.
“Shelter the Poultry”
Infected animals have been slaughtered and disinfection procedures are underway.
The Gard prefecture calls on "all owners of birds, whether farmers or private individuals, to be extremely vigilant" and in particular to "shelter poultry" to avoid contamination by wild birds.
The disease particularly affected the sector in France, since between the end of November 2021 and mid-May 2022, 21 million birds were slaughtered, and the virus started to strike again at the end of July.
The African reserve of Sigean (Aude) has been closed since Sunday for a period of at least three weeks, after the death of a sick bird.
The risk of transmission of the disease to humans via meat or eggs is considered “negligible”.
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