Avian Flu Outbreak Confirmed at Duck Farm in Lot-et-Garonne, France
Allons, Lot-et-Garonne, France – A highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak was confirmed Friday, October 17th, at a duck breeding farm in Allons, prompting the immediate culling of 2,000 ducks to prevent further spread, according to the local prefecture. The outbreak comes as France recently elevated its avian flu risk level from “negligible” to “moderate” due to the return of major wild bird migrations, which are known vectors for the virus.
The confirmed case has triggered strict preventative measures. A 3-kilometer protection zone and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone have been established around the affected farm, impacting neighboring municipalities including Boussès, Houeillès, Pindères, Pompogne, and Sauméjan. Within these zones, the movement of poultry and captive birds is now prohibited except under exceptional authorization from the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP).
This latest outbreak follows recent cases reported in Seine-Maritime, pas-de-Calais, and Loire-Atlantique. Authorities are urging poultry industry professionals to rigorously enforce biosecurity protocols, including sheltering animals, controlling farm access, and disinfecting equipment.
France is currently implementing a nationwide vaccination strategy, having begun compulsory vaccination of all farmed ducks in fall 2023. To date,approximately 60 million ducks have been vaccinated over the last twelve months,a campaign unprecedented at the European level.The Ministry of Agriculture reports this strategy has already yielded positive results, with only ten outbreaks recorded during the 2023/24 campaign, compared to over 400 in the previous season. Despite these efforts, the culling of nearly 32 million poultry between 2021 and 2023 due to previous outbreaks resulted in significant economic losses for the country’s poultry industry.
