H5N1 avian influenza case confirmed in France

PARIS – A case of avian influenza was confirmed Tuesday night in Dordogne, Southwestern France, the French Ministry of Agriculture announced on Wednesday.

“An abnormal mortality had led to the taking of samples for analysis by the Departmental Directorate of Population Protection, ” the ministry said in a press release.

The case of avian influenza, along with its virus strain H5N1, was confirmed on Tuesday by the National Agency of Risks Assessment (ANSES), while “the sequencing of the strain is underway”.

But the ministry said “it seems to be of a strain already detected in Europe, which had a low-pathogenic avian influenza profile”.

Experts from ANSES are evaluating the potential dangerousness of the strain for man.

French Minister of Agriculture Stephane Le Foll also immediately activated the national urgent sanitary intervention plan.

According to the ministry, the Animal Health Advisory Committee will have an emergency meeting on Nov.

26 to discuss the application of protection measures against the avian influenza.