France has raised its bird flu alert level, requiring poultry farms to limit bird movements to curb the spread of the disease. This comes as Europe experiences its worst bird flu crisis on record, with over 49 million poultry slaughtered and concerns about the virus's persistence over the summer. The disease poses a threat to poultry flocks, could lead to trade restrictions, and there is a risk of human transmission. The outbreak has affected both domestic poultry and wild birds, with nearly 50 million poultry slaughtered in Europe and over 22.8 million birds destroyed in the US. The disease also affected mammals, including red foxes, and has led to significant economic losses for the poultry industry.