Reports from French health and agricultural authorities

H5N1 Avian Influenza Outbreak in La Poterie-Mathieu, Eure, Triggers Immediate Response

Dec 28, 2024, 06:00 PM

A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, identified as H5N1, has been detected in a poultry farm in La Poterie-Mathieu, located in the Eure department of Normandy, France. The outbreak, identified on December 27, 2024, requires immediate eradication measures for the affected poultry, as stated in a prefectural decree. In response, eight nearby communes have been designated as a 'protection zone,' and an additional 46 communes, totaling 54, are under 'surveillance.' These zones form a regulated area where poultry must be sheltered, and only essential personnel are allowed access to the farms to minimize the risk of disease spread. This detection comes less than ten days after France had lowered its national avian influenza risk level to 'negligible' on December 17, following no new outbreaks in the previous month. The virus continues to circulate among wild birds in Europe, particularly along migration routes.