Ukraine Air Force says several missiles were fired from the Black Sea
World2 days ago
France has raised its bird flu alert level after a severe form of the virus was found among backyard poultry in the northeast, on top of cases in neighbouring Belgium and Luxembourg, the farm ministry said on Friday.
The highly contagious H5N8 strain of avian influenza was found this week among ducks, hens, turkeys and pigeons belonging to a household in the Ardennes region, with all the animals slaughtered as a precaution, the ministry said in a statement.
“The health situation regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza is worrying. Since August 1, 25 cases have been detected in Europe among wild and captive birds,” it said.
Two cases of H5N8 were reported last week in Belgium - one at a bird merchant and one at a private home - and another at a home in Luxembourg that has been linked to the merchant in Belgium, the French ministry added.
The latest cases involving the H5N8 strain of bird flu had prompted France to increase its risk assessment to “moderate” from “negligible”, which would lead to poultry being confined indoors in some areas, it said.
The outbreak in France would not compromise the bird flu-free status the country had just obtained again after a previous wave of H5N8 bird flu, the ministry added.
Bird flu outbreaks can prompt importing countries, notably in Asia, to impose trade restrictions on poultry products.
France culled around 3 million birds last winter in its southwestern duck-breeding region as it grappled with the spread of the virus from wild birds to poultry flocks.
The massive outbreak led the government to agree new biosecurity measures with the poultry sector.
These included a requirement to confine flocks during risk periods and a commitment to reduce the density of flocks in the southwest, home to the country’s duck-based foie gras pate industry.
Ukraine Air Force says several missiles were fired from the Black Sea
World2 days ago
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman says he has placed the video in a safe place
World2 days ago
The Strip was closed to Palestinian workers amid unrest
World2 days ago
Troops had been bombarding the country's second-largest city for weeks
World2 days ago
The country has been reeling under the effect of sanctions reimposed by the US in 2018
World2 days ago
The arch, erected in 1982, was meant to symbolise the country's ties with Moscow
World2 days ago
Imports from Sweden are making up for the country's shortfall
World2 days ago
Conflict resolution will depend on more than just the Ukrainian people, the president notes in his nightly address
World3 days ago