(Date of previous outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in France reported to the OIE: 1948).
Translation of information received on 25 February 2006 from Dr Monique Eloit, Deputy Director General, General Directorate for Food (DGAL), Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Rural Affairs, Paris:
Report date: 25 February 2006.
An outbreak of avian influenza due to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 was reported in a commercial turkey farm in Versailleux district, Ain department.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 25 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 23 February 2006.
Nature of diagnosis: clinical and laboratory.
Number of susceptible animals in the outbreak: 11,700 (56-day-old turkeys).
Number of cases: 10,500.
Number of deaths: 400.
Number of animals destroyed: 11,300.
Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures undertaken:
- control of wildlife reservoirs;
- stamping out (total culling of farm poultry was applied on 23 February 2006 afternoon);
- quarantine;
- movement control inside the country;
- screening;
- zoning (protection and surveillance zones were delineated around the farm as from the suspicion period, i.e. on 23 February 2006);
- disinfection of infected premises;
- dipping/spraying.
Vaccination prohibited: yes.