45 municipalities are under surveillance after a seagull was injured

30 communes in the Basque Country and 15 communes in the territory under control: this is the temporary control area set up by the Prefecture of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques after the discovery of the H5N1 virus (bird flu) on seagulls collected on March 13th on a beach in ‘Anglet.

Avian influenza: Vigilance is heightened in the Southwest

“By avian influenza we mean the human disease caused by avian influenza viruses (avian influenza viruses, AI) that cross the species barrier and infect humans. Humans can be infected with many avian influenza viruses (especially subtypes H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2).She indicated Public Health France.

Although it rarely infects humans.H5N1 virus is highly pathogenicTo the local representation of the state in a press release quoted Southwest Its control is essential to reduce the risk of transmission to wildlife and poultry farms.

Avian influenza: The governorate publishes recommendations that must be followed to avoid infection

In an area of ​​20 km around the seagull detection, specific measures have been taken for this. Poultry gatherings are prohibited, especially in exhibitions and markets, and professional breeders, as well as private poultry owners, must inform the governorate and place them under a net.

Hunting is still permitted, but the transport and release of game birds is prohibited. It is also forbidden to approach, touch and capture wild birds.

Since October 2021, Europe has suffered the most devastating pandemic of avian influenza ever recorded. Between spring and autumn of 2022, wild birds were particularly concerned with the large number of infections reported on the various French coasts. “Thus, three injured seabirds (gannets) were found on the Basque coast in September 2022.said the Prefecture of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques.