France Raises Bird Flu Risk Level to "moderate" from "insignificant", reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
With a decree published in the State Gazette, security measures around poultry farms are being strengthened. The change in status is linked to an increase in the number of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in several neighboring countries, raising the possibility that migratory birds may transmit the virus while passing through France.
A growing number of European countries are reporting cases of the virus, which has killed millions of poultry in previous outbreaks, including Germany. Since the summer, France has reported four outbreaks of bird flu on farms and launched a second campaign to vaccinate more than 250 birds on farms at the start of the month, following a successful inaugural program last year.