France declares end to bird flu outbreak

France has reported 12 outbreaks on commercial farms and three cases in backyard poultry since early August, but surveillance measures in the areas where the latest cases occurred were lifted last week.

Restoring the country's bird flu-free status in line with international recommendations could ease trade restrictions imposed by some importing countries following outbreaks, potentially providing relief to the French poultry industry.

A vaccination programme for ducks on farms, introduced in 2023, is seen as helping to control the virus. Ducks, which are a key part of foie gras production, are particularly susceptible to bird flu. Vaccinations will continue until 2025.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the virus has shown signs of spreading beyond poultry. Authorities recently reported the country’s first severe human case linked to suspected contact with infected poultry, raising concerns about cross-species transmission.