France lowers bird flu risk level to moderate
PARIS, Oct 4 (Reuters) - France has lowered the level of risk for bird flu to moderate from high after no new cases of the H5N1 virus were detected in wild birds for the past two months, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday.
France, Europe's biggest poultry producer, raised its alert to "high" after some wild swans infected with the highly pathogenic virus were found dead in northeastern France in July.
That meant birds and poultry in mainland France had to be locked up or protected by nets to avoid contact with wild birds.
"Surveillance is continuing and it is still necessary for bird owners to maintain their vigilance," the ministry said in a statement.
Based on a recommendation by French food safety agency AFSSA, live birds could go once more to market, it said.
More than 30 countries have reported outbreaks in the past year, in most cases involving wild birds such as swans.
Globally, the H5N1 virus has killed at least 201 people out of more than 300 known cases, according to the World Health Organisation. None of the victims were from Europe.
France, Europe's biggest poultry producer, raised its alert to "high" after some wild swans infected with the highly pathogenic virus were found dead in northeastern France in July.
That meant birds and poultry in mainland France had to be locked up or protected by nets to avoid contact with wild birds.
"Surveillance is continuing and it is still necessary for bird owners to maintain their vigilance," the ministry said in a statement.
Based on a recommendation by French food safety agency AFSSA, live birds could go once more to market, it said.
More than 30 countries have reported outbreaks in the past year, in most cases involving wild birds such as swans.
Globally, the H5N1 virus has killed at least 201 people out of more than 300 known cases, according to the World Health Organisation. None of the victims were from Europe.
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