Huge losses from this year’s epidemic – Tens of millions of birds slaughtered across France
Faced, like the rest of Europe, with a devastating epizootic, which led to the slaughter of tens of millions of birds on the old continent, the France today set a target to start the first vaccination of birds in autumn 2023.
From August 1 to December 21, bird flu killed 3.3 million birds – half of them ducks. Since the beginning of December alone, 2 million birds have been slaughtered, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Despite many obstacles, the ministry today presented the broad outlines of an action plan “to avoid a new crisis” next autumn. This is a real challenge, as there is currently no sufficiently effective vaccine approved for the market – there is also no European regulation for the vaccination of birds.
Based on the schedule presented today, the first results of the laboratory experiments will be known around March 2023. “So far, they are encouraging, there is a good response to the virus,” the ministry said. In March, National Health Security Service (ANSES) it should also present the various ‘scenarios’ for vaccination. It will decide, for example, which species to start with. Ducks and turkeys are the most susceptible birds.
The French State will then determine the vaccination strategy, will estimate the cost and decide who will pay. “If all goes well, in May we will have functional, licensed vaccines, as well as a health and financial strategy,” the ministry summarized.
European agencies estimate that this year’s bird flu is “the most destructive” in the history of Europe. More than 50 million birds were slaughtered in poultry farms in one year.
The previous wave of the disease in France (late November 2021-mid May 2022) led to the killing of more than 20 million birds.
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
