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Avian flu is a disease which affects birds. While a few cases of the virus’ transmission from poultry to humans have occurred in Asia, to date there have been no cases of human-to-human transmission.

Isolated outbreaks of avian flu due to a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain affecting birds in an area south of Moscow mark a new development in the situation at the animal health level since this area lies in the migration corridor from eastern to northern Europe and the Atlantic coast.

Consequently, on Thursday, 20 October, the European Commission decided on measures to protect poultry breeding farms, extending to a possible ban on the outdoor rearing of poultry in areas where there is a particular risk of contact with migratory birds.

In its report of 21 October, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) considers the risk of poultry contamination by migratory birds in France “negligible” at this stage.

However, as a precautionary measure, and in line with the decision adopted in Brussels with France’s support, the government has decided to extend measures to protect poultry farms, as is the case in other member States, particularly Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.

In departments where there is a particular risk of contact with migratory birds, these measures consist of a ban on outdoor rearing of domestic, wild and ornamental birds.

In these departments, when confining the birds indoors is not feasible, for example because there is no rearing house, specially-adapted equivalent protective measures will be implemented and surveillance stepped up.

A decree published today sets out all these measures and lists, on the basis of the report published by AFSSA on 21 October 2005, the departments particularly at risk.

Outside these departments, the protective measures applicable since the end of August will also be reinforced, to prevent birds from being fed or given water out of doors and surface water from being given to birds to drink or used for cleaning buildings. There will be more extensive screening of live wild and domestic birds, and systematic monitoring of dead birds suspected of dying of avian flu.

Moreover, there is a temporary nationwide ban on all live birds at trade fairs, markets and exhibitions. However, outside the departments where there is a particular risk of contact with migratory birds, local préfets will be able, in exceptional circumstances, to authorize such events in specific locations which have undergone a favourable risk assessment.

As regards hunting, a ban on the use and transport of live birds as decoys has been decided in view of the particular risk of contact between these and migratory birds.

These measures are the subject of an order published today.

All these measures are applicable until 1 December 2005, in accordance with the decision taken with our European partners. They can be reassessed at any time depending on developments in the situation and the movements of migratory birds.

Poultry sector workers, people in contact with wild birds (reserves, zoos, etc.) and hunters have been informed of the need to take precautions when handling the birds, particularly by wearing gloves. It is their responsibility to report any group of dead birds which might have died of avian flu to the departmental veterinary services directorate or departmental hunters’ federation.

The Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries today had another meeting with [representatives of] poultry sector workers regarding these measures.

The Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development will continue regularly to inform representatives of hunters and parks and open-space managers, with whom a meeting had already been held on 20 and 21 October./.