Tuesday, April 16, 2024

France uses vaccine against avian flu


 

France has vaccinated more than 26 million farmed ducks as its strategy to defeat highly-pathogenic avian influenza that claimed about 10 million birds. About 21 million have received a second dose.


Canada and the United States are relying on euthanizing flocks that experience an outbreak and imposing quarantine zones designed to keep the virus from spreading. The virus has so far claimed 11 million birds in Canada, most as result of proactive culling.


France said its strategy is showing signs of success. 


France reported 315 HPAI outbreaks in the 2022-2023 season, but confirmed just 10 cases since last fall, just before the vaccination program for commercial ducks launched in October.