the control zone expanded after the discovery of new cases of avian flu
The prefecture of the department expanded this area on Tuesday to Oye-Plage and Marck.
In less than a week, a hundred dead birds were discovered on the beaches of the coast, Boulogne and as far as the Bay of Somme.
Samples were taken by teams from the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP), who suspected cases of avian flu. The results fell last Thursday: it is indeed the virus.
Faced with this upsurge, and the discovery of new dead birds, the list of municipalities registered in the temporary control zone set up after the discovery of the first cases of avian flu has been extended to the municipalities of Oye-Plage and Marck. .
> What does the order say?
All poultry, including backyard poultry, and any other captive birds must be kept permanently inside buildings or under nets in the communes of the control area. People, pets and vehicles on farms should only limit their movements to what is strictly necessary.
“The direct sale at the farm of slaughtered poultry and products derived from it is prohibited, specifies the prefecture in a press release. Breeders can however continue their commercial activity by direct sale to consumers on local open-air markets.
As for live animals, their sale “is strictly prohibited”, reminds the microphone of BFM Grand Lille, Emmanuel Cayron, the chief of staff of the prefect.
> Which municipalities are concerned?
35 municipalities are concerned by this prefectural decree, of which here is the list on Tuesday, May 24:
Airon-Notre-Dame, AironSaint-Vaast, Berck, Camiers, Conchil-Le-Temple, Condette, Cucq, Dannes, Echinghen, EquihenPlage, Etaples, Frencq, Groffliers, Halinghen, Hesdigneul-les-Boulogne, Hesdin-l’Abbé, Isques, Le-Touquet-Paris-Plage, Lefaux, Marck, Merlimont, Nesles, Neufchâtel-Hardelot, Outreau, Oye_Plage, Rang-du-Fliers, Saint-Aubin, Saint-Etienne-Au-Mont, Saint-Josse, Saint- Leonard, Tubersent, Verlincthun, Verton, Waben and Widehem.
This zone “will extend as much as necessary according to the discoveries and the results of the tests which are carried out, explains Emmanuel Cayron. We cannot spy”.
“It is possible that we will discover other corpses since the epidemic is spreading very quickly in wild birds”, explains the chief of staff.
These measures will currently be valid for 21 days. “They will be extended if necessary and as much as necessary, he said on the set of BFM Grand Lille. The goal is to limit the spread and protect farm animals.”
> Can you catch the virus?
The virus is particularly contagious and pathogenic for birds, but not transmissible to humans through the consumption of products. However, the prefecture calls for everyone to be vigilant and invites you not to approach wild birds on the coast.
> What to do with dead birds?
“You must not approach them, nor touch them even with a stick”, underlines Emmanuel Cayron.
In case of discovery of one or more dead birds, it is recommended to immediately contact the municipalities who will know how to act. Firefighters can also refer to numbers specializing in the collection of dead animals.
Teams from the Pas-de-Calais DDPP, established veterinarians, the Federation of Hunters and the French Office for Biodiversity are working to stem the epidemic. Checks are carried out regularly on the farms.
> Can professionals expect compensation?
For all compensation claims, professionals can turn to the Ministry of Agriculture, announce the chief of staff of the prefect of Pas-de-Calais.