Avian influenza: Risk level in France lowered to moderate

On March 18, France moved from “high” to “moderate” risk status with regard to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Ministry of Agriculture justifies its decision by the absence of new outbreaks, in breeding since January 16 and in wildlife since February 12, and by the low health incidence in the ascending migration corridors crossing France. The “high” risk was decreed on December 5, involving in particular the sheltering of poultry in Special Risk Zones (ZRP) and Temporary Control Zones (ZCT) as well as waterflies under 42 days in Zones at risk of diffusion (ZRD). The lowering of the risk level makes it possible, on the one hand, for the release of ducks to outdoor ranges and, on the other hand, for the release of other poultry without restriction, ZRP and ZRD. Special conditions in ZRP and ZRD However, access conditions remain planned for wetlands located under migration corridors (known as zones at particular risk or ZRP) and zones at risk of diffusion (ZRD) with a ...