One year of avian influenza vaccination in France

After a year, the vaccination of ducks against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has so far proved successful in France. Poultry vet Leni Corrand provides feedback. Corrand, who works for ANIBIO veterinary group, said Europe had had 5 major bird flu crises over the past decade, with 13 million birds culled in 2016/7, 22 million in 2020/1 and 46 million in 2021/2, including 21 million in France, most of which were ducks but also involved 4.5 million layers. Speaking at the International Egg Commission annual conference in Venice, Corrand said a further 1 million layers and 200,000 pullets had also been lost in 2023, leading to a decrease in the national flock of 4.3% compared to 2021. Ducks, he said, were viral bombs and were extremely susceptible to bird flu, shedding huge amounts of the virus. The mentality and culture of the industry meant that husbandry also led to virus spread. Poultry industry vaccination group He said that by the end of 2022 the traditional management ...