What is the Avian Flu? –

Avian Influenza (or bird flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect all birds and cause misc. issues depending on the pathogenicity of the virus and on the species. A Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - strain H5N8 has been detected in wild birds, especially ducks, geese and swans as well as birds of prey.

The disease is highly contagious to wild and to domestic birds in areas of wild bird migration. Symptoms are mainly neurological and easy to recognize if you happen upon a bird that was infected, but the disease is very deadly. If you have an adventurous outdoor cat who likes to catch birds, be aware that the disease is as dangerous to cats.

If you see a bird staggering about and falling over, unable to stand on its feet, or dead, it's important to inform your veterinarian immediately to investigate.

History

As early as 1878 the "bird flu" was distinguished from other diseases that caused high mortality rates in birds but until the 1950's it was more endemic (concentrated to one area.) Until the 90's outbreaks were sporadic and contained.

But from the 1990's our human consumption of poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) increased so much that the cultivation of birds grew by huge percentages worldwide.

Suddenly there was a clearer distinction between LP (Low Pathogenic = less contagious) and HP (Highly Pathogenic = highly contagious) strains of the disease. The type presenting the greatest risk is referred to as HPAI.

While the disease is transmitted from wild birds to domestic birds and farm animals through wild bird migration, the spreading of the disease on the ground is increasingly more common due to a high density of farms and the frequent transport of flocks from the intensive poultry production needed to feed us.

How is the spread of Avian flu monitored?

The monitoring of wild birds and wild bird migration is performed by the French Biodiversity Office  (l’Office français de la biodiversité) and the Réseau SAGIR network,  an epidemiological surveillance network for birds and wild terrestrial mammals in France, which partners with the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife. Monitoring is reinforced throughout the national territory.

Can humans be contaminated with HPAI serotype H5N8?

Recent research into the genes of the now common Spanish flu virus shows it to have genes adapted from both human and avian strains.

Further research shows that an Influenza A type of flu has the potential to be transmitted from animals to people, and in rare cases from person to person. Any virus that allows a mix of genes can create a new virus subtype (called an antigenic shift) which humans have almost no immune protection against.

As an example, in 1996, a different type pf bird flu–Influenza A/H5N1–was discovered in a goose in China and since 2003, over 700 human cases of Asian HPAI H5N1 have been reported to the World Health Organization. There is concern that an antigenic shift in an Influenza A type of flu may cause a pandemic in the future. Not exactly good news in Covid-19 times!

But currently we are dealing with a confirmed strain of H5N8 bird flu found in samples from wild birds. This strain of bird flu is considered one of the less pathogenic subtypes for human beings and no human cases have been identified. 

Vendée area has many poultry farms. What does it mean for our farmers?

The farmers with poultry and other captive bird farms in any of the 45 French departments that were placed on high alert are obligated by law to apply a strict management plan or an Avian Influenza control plan consisting of clean clothes and disinfecting boots before entering livestock areas; not inviting outside persons to the farm, except e.g. a veterinarian, who must also follow the same sanitary measures etc. In case of suspected illness or deaths, farmers must notify the Vétérinaire Sanitaire without delay.

There is no cure for the disease. In case of an outbreak on a farm, unfortunately all birds are culled by using a suffocating foam that is sprayed into the barn. Then strict sanitary measures are taken to destroy the birds and to disinfect the area.

In the current outbreak across several countries, as of mid November over 300.000 birds from livestock have been eradicated to help stop the spread. In France, outbreaks have been detected in Haute-Corse (Corsica) in the week of Nov 11th 2020, and in Yvelines, a department located in the region of Île-de-France, a week later.

Current measures include the containment of domestic birds in order to avoid any contact with wild birds. Gatherings of live poultry  e.g. at markets, is banned, and the release of game birds for hunting is banned. See the Ministerial Decree issued November 4th, 2020 here and more info here.