Avian Influenza - the H5N1 bird flu virus in France 2006

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Avian Influenza - the H5N1 bird flu virus in France 2006

Update 6 June 2006

• Fears of an influenza pandemic exist. Refer to the international news services and World Health Organisation: Click here
• Consulates provide information for their nationals in France: Click here 

Update 9 May 2006

Regulations concerning keeping, transporting and selling of live birds are being handled at a regional level. For information relevant to each department, contact the local Services Véterinaires (Veterinary Services) for the department concerned. 

Contact details can be found through the Préfecture. Click for the websites of:

• Local Préfectures

• Info Grippe Aviaire: Tel: 0825 302 302

Update 9 March 2006

Following the discovery of a dead cat in Germany infected by the H5N1 virus, the French government has ordered that all cats are to be kept inside in infected zones, and dogs to be kept on a lead. This applies to areas where a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone around the outbreak has been established.

In the Bouches-du-Rhone department (13), a number of dead swans have been found to be infected by the virus.

27 February 2006

Please note: the situation is in a state of extreme flux

In February 2006 French officials confirmed the death of a wild duck from the H5N1 strain of lethal bird flu in the department of Ain (01) near Lyon. As a result, further measures are being taken to guard against the spread of avian flu. 

• The French government has ordered that all poultry be confined either indoors, or if this is not possible the area must be covered by a watertight roof to guard against droppings from passing wild bird
• Water and food for the poultry must be protected
• It is forbidden to take live poultry to farmer's markets
• People are not to handle dead wild birds and must report a finding directly to the authorities

On Saturday 25 February a commercial turkey farm in Ain was found to be contaminated. According to the BBC, "About 400 of the 11,000 birds on the farm had died from the virus - the others were then slaughtered". 

Monday 27 February a programme of inoculation of free range ducks and geese on a migratory route on the south-west coast of France is to begin.

Information from the French Government

Up to date information is available via Info Grippe Aviaire, a telephone information service (in French) open 7 days a week from 08:00 to 22:00 (0,15 euros per minute).

• Info Grippe Aviaire: Tel: 0825 302 302
• Information from the French government concerning Avian Flu Grippeavaire.gouv.fr (in French)
• Comprehensive information (in French) on the symptoms shown by infected birds, animals and humans and measures to be taken in the event of suspected infection; from Ecologie.gouv (PDF in French)
• Information from the French health authorities on what to do if you discover or suspect that one of your birds has Avian influenza: sante.gouv.fr (PDF in French)
• Information on how avian flu may spread to other animals, from the French government: Grippeavaire.gouv.fr (in French)
• Information on how avian flu may spread to humans, from the French government: Grippeavaire.gouv.fr (in French)

For up-to-date information and advisories in your specific area, it's recommended that you contact your local town hall (mairie).

Avian Flu: Information in English

• An in-depth analysis of the spread of bird flu and answers to many common questions from the BBC.co.uk
• WHO, the World Health Organisation, is responsible for coordinating the global response to human cases of avian flu and provides information in English, see: WHO Avian Influenza
• For the latest from the EU see website Europa for Avian Influenza Questions & Answers 

Official Consular Information

Consulates provide information for their nationals in the possible event of pandemic influenza. 

• Information from the British High Commission for British nationals travelling or living overseas: Click here
• A guide for Australians living or travelling overseas: Click here