a case in the municipality of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon
On December 1, 2022, a swan was found dead in the town of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon (84). After a laboratory analysis, it turns out that the animal was carrying the bird flu virus.
On December 1, 2022, a dead swan was suspected of carrying the bird flu virus. The latter had been found in the town of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon (84). He had been brought directly to the laboratory for analyzes to be carried out by the services of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).
Analyzes revealed that the animal was carrying the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. This virus”circulates in Europe through migratory birds or among native wildlife, is particularly contagious and pathogenic for birds, especially for poultry farms and backyards. It causes significant mortality. It persists and remains active mainly in droppings and stagnant water containing contaminated droppings“, indicates the prefecture of Vaucluse.
Following this revelation, the prefect of Vaucluse issued an order aimed at “to prevent the onset of the flu
avian in farms” A temporary control zone (ZCT) of 5 km around the place of discovery of the infected bird has been defined. The breedings of this ZCT will be authorized by the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) or specialized veterinarians A second temporary control zone (ZCT) of 20 km around the site has also been defined.
13 municipalities are concerned by the ZCT of 5 km.
It is important to remember that the consumption of meat, foie gras and eggs – and more generally any poultry-based food product – presents no risk for humans.
In order to protect the department’s poultry sector by limiting any spread of the disease, it is everyone’s responsibility to apply the following principles:
- For walkers: stay on marked paths and do not approach or feed wild birds;
- For owners of backyards or poultry farms: avoid frequenting these
natural areas. Otherwise, change your clothes and shoes, wash your
sector, disinfect vehicle wheels; - Do not handle dead wild birds, involve the town hall or the municipal police of the
place of discovery which will contact the SAGIR network; - Report to your veterinarian any disease or abnormal mortality on poultry or other captive birds.